Quick Links
Rehab in the ICU
| Updated: January 12, 2021 | |
| ICU Recovery Network compilation of approximately 2,500 hand-selected publications (January 7, 2021) | Published by the Mobilization-network, an international open forum for those who are interested in the early mobilization and rehabilitation of mechanically ventilated intensive care patients. |
| The role of speech and language therapists in the intensive care unit (Sept 2019) | Describes role SLPs can play in ICU, including assessment, rehabilitation and advice in areas of communication, swallowing and tracheostomy weaning. |
 Occupational Therapy in the ICU: A Scoping Review of 221 Documents (2019) |
This review by Ontario-based OTs notes that physical rehab is more prevalent in ICUs, but that opportunities exist for OTs to make significant contributions in areas like ADLs, cognition, etc. |
| Rehabilitation in the ICU for PTs, OTs and SLPs: ICU Mobility Checklist (December, 2019) |
Publication from Alberta Health Services. Shared with permission. |
| Early Mobility in the ICU: Translating the Rehab Approach to Acute Care (2017) |
Presentation by Vincent Lo, Critical Care Physiotherapist at UHN/Toronto General and Lecturer, UofT |
| Occupational Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review Occupational Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review (July, 2017) |
A synthesis of the available literature on occupational therapy interventions performed in the ICU. |
| Physical rehabilitation interventions for adult patients during critical illness: An overview of systematic reviews (2016) | This overview confirms physical rehabilitation delivered in the early stages of critical illness in the intensive care unit (ICU) produces improvements in a range of outcomes. |
| Early Rehabilitation in the Intensive Care Unit: Preventing Physical and Mental Health Impairments (December, 2013) | Addresses evidence-based rehabilitation interventions to reduce the physical and mental health impairments associated with post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). |
| Early physical and occupational therapy in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial (2009) | RCT demonstrates better functional outcomes for ventilated patients with daily interruption of sedation and physical and occupational therapy. |
| CPA Position Statement on Physiotherapy in the ICU |
Cites evidence that early mobilization in ICU results in decreased length of stay in ICU and decreased overall hospital stay. |