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Updated: Mar 1, 2026
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Investigating the clinical feasibility of an adapted early mobility readiness protocol for critical ill patients: A
Elmarie Conradie1, Catharina E Fourie2, Susan D Hanekom1
1Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Division of Physiotherapy, South Africa.
Background:
Uncertainty exists whether a therapeutic early mobility position will affect the outcome of a critically ill patient.
Objectives:
To evaluate the feasibility of an existing protocol to identify patients who would tolerate this position.
Research Methodology/Design:
A non-randomised experimental pilot trail was performed. Twice weekly, all patients nursed in surgical and respiratory units were screened with the protocol.
Outcome Measures:
Haemodynamic parameters, mean arterial pressure and central venous oxygen saturation of included patients were tested in the baseline position followed by the testing position at 0, 3 and 10minutes.
Results:
We screened 138 patients. Eleven patients passed the protocol, male/female (9/2) with a median (range) age of 47 (20-67) years. Placement from the 10minutes baseline position to the 0min testing position resulted in a mean difference of the mean arterial pressure of 2.03 (95% Confidence interval -1.12 to 5.18), and the mean difference of central venous oxygen saturation was 0.79 (95% Confidence interval -3.15 to 4.74). One adverse event was noted.
Conclusion:
The protocol provides healthcare professionals with an interim tool to identify patients who would tolerate a therapeutic upright position. While the results question the clinical feasibility of protocol. The effect of incorporating a therapeutic early mobility position into standard nursing care, on patient outcome can now be investigated.
