Demonstrating in-bed cyclingThere’s a new option to help patients get moving in the ICU, after an international trial published in NEJM Evidence showed in-bed cycling is safe for mechanically ventilated patients. It can take a long time to regain strength and function after a critical illness or injury, which is why physiotherapists help patients in the ICU move their body as soon as possible to combat weakening muscles.
This trial tested whether adding in-bed cycling to this existing early physiotherapy would benefit patients. The team found that patients who cycled had similar physical function three days after leaving the ICU to those who received normal physiotherapy. However, they also found in-bed cycling had no harmful side effects, and patients reported slightly better physical function once they left the hospital.
This was the largest trial ever of an ICU rehabilitation device, and physiotherapists played a big role in making it happen. The trial was led by Dr. Michelle Kho, a researcher at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
The Ottawa Hospital site was led by Drs. Shane English and Andrew Seely and a team of ICU physiotherapists, rehabilitation experts and research coordinators. The site enrolled 32 patients who cycled a total of 166 kilometers. See press release for details.
“There’s considerable evidence that early mobility is the best thing we can contribute to a patient’s recovery, and in-bed cycling can be another great tool to accomplish this with certain patients,” said Michelle Cummings, ICU physiotherapist and research assistant.
Ottawa team: Shane English, Rebecca Porteous, Michelle Cummings, Rose Johnston, Sal Patten, Anna Gregory, Eszter Finta, Jamie Emery, Andrea Barrass, Tanya Forward, Karen Picard, Andrew Seely, Irene Watpool, Josée Lamontagne, Rachel Goard, Lyne Marum, Jamie Emery, Caroline Rivard, Nick Warzee, Valerie Reid, Stephanie Green.
The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
