Rehabilitation of mind and body after intensive care unit discharge: A step closer to recovery

摘要

The number of survivors of critical illness is expected to grow as a result of an aging population and decreasing intensive care unit (ICU) mortality (1, 2). Many studies demonstrate that ICU survivors commonly experience a wide array of long-lasting physical, cognitive, and mental health impairments (3-6). These impairments are associated with decreased quality of life, inability to return to work, and decreased life expectancy (3, 6). In an effort to improve patients' long-term outcomes after critical illness, ICU clinicians are changing sedation practices to reduce delirium and bed rest, and introducing early physical medicine and rehabilitation in the ICU (7-10). Additional inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation interventions also may be beneficial (11).