Robotic-Assisted In-Bed Mobilization in Ventilated ICU Patients With COVID-19: An Interventional, Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study (ROBEM II Study).

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global healthcare systems, particularly in managing critically ill mechanically ventilated patients. This study aims to assess the feasibility of robotic-assisted mobilization in COVID-19 patients. DESIGN: Randomized controlled pilot study. SETTING: Four COVID-19 specialized ICUs at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (March 2021 to February 2022). PATIENTS: Twenty critically ill COVID-19 patients expected to require greater than 24 hours of ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: A 5-day intervention phase with bid robotic-assisted mobilization greater than or equal to 20 minutes and follow-up at day 180, compared with standard care. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intervention sessions were conducted in 98.9% according to protocol, with one session missing due to staff shortage. Primary outcome was the mobilization level measured with the ICU Mobility Scale (IMS) and Surgical ICU Optimal Mobilization Score (SOMS), assessed until day 5 or extubation. Safety events were recorded during mobilization. The median IMS and SOMS were 0 (0-0.16) and 1 (1-1.03) in the intervention group, and 0 (0-0.15) ( p = 0.77) and 0.8 (0.65-1.20) ( p = 0.08) in the standard care group, respectively. Significant secondary outcomes included average number of mobilization sessions (intervention: 8.5 [7.75-10] vs. standard care: 4.5 [3.5-5]; p = 0.001), total mobilization time (intervention: 232.5 min [187.25-266.5 min] vs. standard care: 147.5 min [107.5-167.5 min]; p = 0.011), and healthcare providers per session (intervention: 2 [2-2] vs. standard care: 1 [1-1.4]; p = 0.001) during intervention. Four safety events (hypertension and agitation, n = 2 each) in the intervention group and none in the standard care group were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted mobilization in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients appears to be safe and feasible.

The optimal dose of mobilisation therapy in the ICU: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the impact of duration of early mobilisation on survivors of critical illness. The hypothesis was that interventions lasting over 40 min, as per the German guideline, positively affect the functional status at ICU discharge. METHODS: Prospective single-centre cohort study conducted in two ICUs in Germany. In 684 critically ill patients surviving an ICU stay > 24 h, out-of-bed mobilisation of more than 40 min was evaluated. RESULTS: Daily mobilisation ≥ 40 min was identified as an independent predictor of an improved functional status upon ICU discharge. This effect on the primary outcome measure, change of Mobility-Barthel until ICU discharge, was observed in three different models for baseline patient characteristics (average treatment effect (ATE), all three models p < 0.001). When mobilisation parameters like level of mobilisation, were included in the analysis, the average treatment effect disappeared [ATE 1.0 (95% CI - 0.4 to 2.4), p = 0.16]. CONCLUSIONS: A mobilisation duration of more than 40 min positively impacts functional outcomes at ICU discharge. However, the maximum level achieved during ICU stay was the most crucial factor regarding adequate dosage, as higher duration did not show an additional benefit in patients with already high mobilisation levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospective Registry of Mobilization-, Routine- and Outcome Data of Intensive Care Patients (MOBDB), NCT03666286. Registered 11 September 2018-retrospectively registered, https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT03666286 .