Use of in-bed cycling combined with passive joint activity in acute respiratory failure patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the use of in-bed cycling combined with passive joint movement of upper limbs in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) in Department of Intensive Care Unit (ICU). METHODS: One hundred and seven patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) for ARF were randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group. Patients in the control group received routine intensive care. In the intervention group, the lower extremity in-bed cycling was combined with the upper extremity passive joint activities. RESULTS: The time of MV, ICU stay, and incidence of ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) were significantly lower, but the Barthel index score was markedly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The in-bed cycling combined with passive joint movement of upper limbs is safe and feasible in patients with ARF. It can reduce the duration of MV, ICU stay and incidence of ICU-AW as well as improve their ability to live independently.