Pedaling Through Uncertainty - Evaluating the Impact of Cycle Ergometry in Critical Care.

Evidence has shown the detrimental effect of keeping critically ill patients sedated and in bed. Physical rehabilitation in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been shown to improve physical and cognitive function, while reducing the incidence of ICU-acquired weakness and ICU length of stay (LOS). Currently, physical rehabilitation using functional goals (sitting, standing, and walking) is the most common rehabilitation strategy used in ICUs to improve patient outcomes. However, the best method of implementing physical rehabilitation in critically ill patients has remained controversial. The effect of different types of rehabilitation interventions, such as in-bed cycling, and doses of rehabilitation (frequency, intensity, and timing) has been the focus of many investigations over the past decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]