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Inactivity May Identify Older Intensive Care Unit Survivors at Risk for Post-Intensive Care Syndrome.
Maya N Elias1, Emily A Ahrens2, Chi-Shan Tsai3
1Maya N. Elias is an assistant professor, Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle.
Summary
Inactivity after intensive care unit (ICU) stays is linked to worse post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) symptoms in older adults. Increased activity may improve cognitive, physical, and psychological outcomes for these survivors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Intensive Care Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Older adults (≥65 years) admitted to the ICU experience significant inactivity during hospitalization.
- Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) encompasses cognitive dysfunction, physical impairment, and psychological distress in ICU survivors.
- These PICS symptoms can be life-changing for older individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between physical inactivity and PICS symptom severity in older ICU survivors.
- To identify potential risk factors for PICS among this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of pooled data from two prospective, cross-sectional studies.
- Included 49 functionally independent older adults who received mechanical ventilation in the ICU.
- Utilized actigraphy for measuring post-ICU activity and standardized instruments for assessing PICS symptoms (cognitive, physical, psychological).
Main Results:
- A trend showed that greater inactivity correlated with increased PICS symptom severity.
- Less active participants scored worse on cognitive and physical assessments.
- Higher daytime activity was associated with better cognitive and physical function and improved psychological well-being.
Conclusions:
- Post-ICU inactivity may serve as an indicator for older survivors at risk of developing PICS.
- Findings suggest that interventions targeting physical activity could help reduce the symptom burden of PICS.
- Further research is warranted to develop and test such interventions.
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