Early rehabilitation after spinal cord injury: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this scoping review is to identify the timings and types of early rehabilitation after spinal cord injuries (SCI) that are documented in the literature, as well as identify possible research gaps in this field. INTRODUCTION: Preclinical and clinical studies support the idea that early rehabilitation may be beneficial for patients with acute SCI. However, the timing and types of rehabilitation that should and could be used in the acute stage are still unclear. The first step towards such knowledge is to extensively review what is documented in the literature. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will consider all papers focusing on early rehabilitation after SCI in adult humans or animals (<3 months post-SCI for humans and other primates and <3 weeks post-SCI for other animals). Interventions in the included papers must aim at sensorimotor or functional improvement and take place in a hospital or a rehabilitation center if they target human subjects. METHODS: MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Embase (Embase.com), PEDro, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane CENTRAL, PROSPERO, ClinicalTrials.gov, and gray literature sources will be searched for eligible articles. This review will include published and unpublished experimental and observational studies, research protocols, conference abstracts, systematic reviews, and guidelines. No language or date limits will be applied. Two independent reviewers will perform study selection and data extraction, and the results will be presented according to the SCI type and severity. REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework https://osf.io/q45er.

Early mobilization of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage: a national survey of french intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To describe French intensive care unit practices regarding the mobilization of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage. DESIGN: A cross-sectional nationwide survey study. SUBJECTS: Intensivists and physiotherapists or nurses from French intensive care units managing patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage. METHODS: An online questionnaire survey was distributed through the Neurocritical Care and Neuro Anesthesiology French Speaking Society. RESULTS: The response rate was 89%. Of these, 90% did not have a mobilization protocol for patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage. Sixteen percent of departments prohibited all forms of motor physiotherapy for a predefined period. Nineteen percent systematically prohibited out-of-bed mobilization, regardless of the severity of subarachnoid haemorrhage and in the absence of any complication, for a predefined period. The main factors that would delay or interrupt physiotherapy prescription were intracranial hypertension (79%), currently treated vasospasm (59%), and suspicion of vasospasm (44%). Ninety-one percent of the centres identified at least one complication that could be associated with standing upright. These mainly included decreased cerebral perfusion (71%), dislodged external ventricular or lumbar derivations (68%), and haemodynamic instability (65%). CONCLUSION: Mobilization of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage is heterogeneous among French neuro-intensive care units and several barriers preclude improvement of mobilization practices. Interventional studies assessing mobilization practices, as well as education and training of staff, are crucial to ensure the proper management of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage and to improve outcomes.

Impact of Early Out-of-Bed Mobilization on Functional Outcome in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Effects of early mobilization are not well documented in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Only a few studies have investigated it through progressive mobilization protocols and suggested that it is safe and feasible. This study aimed to determine the impact of early out-of-bed mobilization (EOM) on 3-month functional outcome and cerebral vasospasm (CVS) occurrence in patients with aSAH. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of aSAH was performed. EOM was defined as out-of-bed (OOB) mobilization performed before or on day 4 after aSAH onset. The primary outcome was 3-month functional independence (i.e., a modified Rankin Scale below 3) and the occurrence of CVS. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients with aSAH met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-one patients constituted the EOM group, and 148 patients were in the delayed out-of-bed mobilization group. Functional independence was more frequent in the EOM group than in the delayed out-of-bed mobilization group (n = 26 [84%] vs. n = 83 [56%], P = 0.004). In a multivariable analysis, EOM was an independent predictor of functional independence (adjusted odds ratio = 3.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-10.36; P < 0.05). The delay between bleeding and first OOB mobilization was also identified as an independent risk factor for the occurrence of CVS (adjusted odds ratio = 1.12; 95% confidence interval = 1.06-1.18, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EOM was independently associated with favorable functional outcome after aSAH. The delay between bleeding and OOB mobilization was an independent risk factor for reduced functional independence and CVS occurrence. Prospective randomized trials are necessary to confirm these results and improve clinical practice.