Early Mobilization in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Clinical Practice Guideline
Keywords:
early mobilization, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unitAbstract
Introduction: Mechanically ventilated patients often experience prolonged immobilization, which can lead to short-and long-term complications such as muscle weakness, joint contractures, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and prolonged recovery. These conditions often contribute to longer hospital stays, reduced ability to perform activities of daily living, decreased functional independence, and reduced quality of life. Early mobilization is a key strategy to prevent complications and promote functional recovery in critically ill patients.
Objectives: This academic article aims to propose evidence-based nursing practices for promoting early mobilization in mechanically ventilated patients. It includes readiness assessment criteria, contraindications, nurse roles, and strategies for clinical implementation.
Key issues: Early mobilization should begin within 24 - 96 hours of ICU admission or as soon as the patient is stable. The readiness assessment criteria could be evaluated based on vital signs, level of consciousness, and respiratory status. Nurses play a critical role in evaluating readiness, preparing patients, performing and monitoring the mobilization activities, communicating with patients and families, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.
Conclusions: Daily progressive mobilization-from in-bed to out-of-bed mobilization should be performed for at least 10 - 15 minutes, tailored to the patient’s tolerance. This approach has been shown to reduce complications, enhance recovery, and significantly shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay.
Implications: This practice guideline could be applied to patients who meet readiness criteria and have no contraindications. Nurses should prioritize patient safety and implement early mobilization with caution. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is essential to ensure the effectiveness of early mobilization and promote optimal patient outcomes.
Downloads
References
Singam A. Mobilizing progress: A comprehensive review of the efficacy of early mobilization therapy in the intensive care unit. Cureus. 2024 Apr 4;16(4):e57595. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57595.
Rawal H, Bakhru RN. Early Mobilization in the ICU. CHEST Critical care. 2024;2(1):100038.
Zang K, Chen B, Wang M, Chen D, Hui L, Guo S, et al. The effect of early mobilization in critically ill patients: a meta-analysis. Nursing in critical care. 2020;25(6):360-7.
Wang L, Hua Y, Wang L, Zou X, Zhang Y, Ou X. The effects of early mobilization in mechanically ventilated adult ICU patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in medicine. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1202754
Palakshappa JA, Krall JTW, Belfield LT, Files DC. Long-term outcomes in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Critical care clinics. 2021;37(4):895-911.
Ding N, Zhang Z, Zhang C, Yao L, Yang L, Jiang B, et al. What is the optimum time for initiation of early mobilization in mechanically ventilated patients? A network meta-analysis. PloS one. 2019;14(10):e0223151.
Daum N, Drewniok N, Bald A, Ulm B, Buyukli A, Grunow JJ, Schaller SJ. Early mobilisation within 72 hours after admission of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit: A systematic review with network meta-analysis. Intensive critical care nurse. 2024 Feb;80:103573. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2023.103573
Yang X, Zhang T, Cao L, Ye L, Song W. Early mobilization for critically ill patients. Respiratory care. 2023 Jun;68(6):781-795 Available from: https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.10481.
Schaller SJ, Scheffenbichler FT, Bein T, Blobner M, Grunow JJ, Hamsen U, Hermes C, Kaltwasser A, Lewald H, Nydahl P, Reißhauer A, Renzewitz L, Siemon K, Staudinger T, Ullrich R, Weber-Carstens S, Wrigge H, Zergiebel D, Coldewey SM. Guideline on positioning and early mobilisation in the critically ill by an expert panel. Intensive care medicine. 2024 Aug;50(8):1211-1227. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-024-07532-2.
Akella P, Voigt LP, Chawla S. To Wean or Not to Wean: A practical patient focused guide to ventilator weaning. Journal of intensive care medicine. 2022 Nov;37(11):1417-25. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/08850666221095436.
Yang R, Zheng Q, Zuo D, Zhang C, Gan X. Safety assessment criteria for early active mobilization in mechanically ventilated ICU subjects. Respiratory care. 2021;66(2):307-15.
Schallom M, Tymkew H, Vyers K, Prentice D, Sona C, Norris T, Arroyo C. Implementation of an interdisciplinary AACN early mobility protocol. Critical care nurse. 2020 Aug 1;40(4):e7-e17. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2020632.
Dubb R, Nydahl P, Hermes C, Schwabbauer N, Toonstra A, Parker AM, et al. Barriers and strategies for early mobilization of patients in intensive care units. Annals of the American thoracic society. 2016;13(5):724-30.
Hodgson CL, Bailey M, Bellomo R, Brickell K, Broadley T, Buhr H, et al. Early active mobilization during mechanical ventilation in the ICU. The new England journal of medicine. 2022;387(19):1747-58.
Jones RA, Merkle S, Ruvalcaba L, Ashton P, Bailey C, Lopez M. Nurse-led mobility program: driving a culture of early mobilization in medical-surgical nursing. Journal of nursing care quality. 2020;35(1):20-6.
Lee J, Kim Y, Lee HJ. Nurse-involved early mobilization in the intensive care unit: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurse critical care. 2025 Mar;30(2):e13278. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.13278.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 ่Journal of Health and Nursing Research (Journal of Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Article published Is the copyright of the Journal of Health and Nursing Research (Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok) Cannot be republished in other journals











