ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Efficacy of suspension-based lower-limb rehabilitation device in enhancing lower limb function among patients with ICU-acquired weakness: a self-controlled randomized clinical trial
Authors' conclusion
Prompt intervention with SS-assisted rehabilitation combined with conventional therapy may help attenuate muscle atrophy, improve muscle strength, and enhance hip and knee AROM in patients with ICUAW, potentially offering a novel rehabilitation strategy for this population.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with ICU-acquired weakness (Intensive Care Unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW))within-patient design
- Participants
- 60 patients
- Comparison
- Intervention limb vs Control limb
- Primary endpoint
- Change in lower-limb muscle thickness (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior) by musculoskeletal ultrasound
Methodological detailsprospective, within-patient (self-controlled) randomisation
- Prospective
- Within-patient (self-controlled) randomisation
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Lower-limb muscle thickness
- Control limb: significantly reduced at 1 and 2 weeks vs baseline (p < 0.01); no significant difference between 1 and 2 weeks
- p = 0.06
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| MRC scoreControl limb vs Intervention limb · 1 week; lower in control limb | P = 0.05 |
| MRC scoreControl limb vs Intervention limb · 2 weeks; lower in control limb | P = 0.003 |
| Active range of motion (AROM)Control limb vs Intervention limb · 1 week; lower in control limb | P = 0.003 |
| Active range of motion (AROM)Control limb vs Intervention limb · 2 weeks; lower in control limb | P < 0.001 |
Lower-limb circumference
- No significant interaction or main effect
- P = 0.18
Original publication
Efficacy of suspension-based lower-limb rehabilitation device in enhancing lower limb function among patients with ICU-acquired weakness: a self-controlled randomized clinical trial. Crit Care. Published 16 January 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →