Early Rehabilitation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Providing early rehabilitation during critical illness is considered best practice; however, the respiratory compromise suffered by patients with ARDS often limits their capacity to participate in active exercise. This article outlines the current evidence regarding early rehabilitation in the ICU with a specific focus on the considerations for this cohort. It provides some practical recommendations to assist clinicians in the identification of appropriate early rehabilitation techniques, taking into account disease severity and medical management strategies. It outlines methods to ensure the safe implementation of early rehabilitation with the aim of improving the outcomes of ARDS survivors.