Optimising the effect of early mobilisation and rehabilitation in critically ill patients

Many patients following an intensive care unit stay have poor long-term function and quality of life. This thesis aimed to optimise early mobilisation and rehabilitation provided during the intensive care unit (ICU) stay to improve long-term outcomes. The research found that frailty pre-admission and muscle weakness occurring during ICU were significantly associated with poor long-term outcomes. Early mobilisation provided during ICU improves muscle strength, walking ability and number of days at home in 6 months following admission. This research encourages screening for frailty to determine patients at risk of a poor outcome and commencing mobilisation within ICU.