Effects of Continuous Mobility Training in Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Background: The exercise intervention can help participants with prolonged mechanical ventilation improve ventilator weaning; however, the content of exercise intervention is diverse and inconsistent.Objective: This study aims to design the continuous mobility training and examine the clinical effects in participants with prolonged mechanical ventilation.Methods: This prospective, single-center, concealed allocation, evaluator-blind, randomized control study divided participants transferred from the intensive care unit to the respiratory care center into two groups. The control group underwent the routine ventilator weaning plan and hand bicycle training, while the experimental group underwent routine ventilator weaning plan and continuous mobility training plan. The success rate of ventilator weaning, length of mechanical ventilation, length of stay at the respiratory care center, and total length of hospital stay were analyzed.

Inclusion criteria:Aged over 18 years, regardless of sex.Use of mechanical ventilation and transfer from the intensive care unit to the respiratory care center for weaning.Stable vital signs.Ability to understand simple instructions and agree to participate in this research program after explanation.Exclusion criteria:Unconsciousness, severe cognitive impairment, or inability to follow instructions.Severe heart failure (NYHA ≥ 3).Diagnosis of terminal illness and undergoing palliative care.Inability to receive exercise therapy due to physical conditions, fracture, lower limb surgery, acute thrombosis, open wounds, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Assessment by other attending physician that the participant's condition, progression of disease course or treatment plan were not suitable for exercise therapy.