title: Early intensive care unit mobility: future directions.
abstract: In the previous articles in this issue of Critical Care Clinics, care of the critically ill patient was explored from the viewpoint of how intensive care unit (ICU) mobilization may benefit patients, and how our usual practice may impede the delivery of early mobilization. In this article, the authors discuss future directions in this area under the following headings: current limitations in understanding the effect of immobility on muscle and nerve, uncertainty about the risks and benefits of early mobility, how to implement early mobility programs, and ICU process of care issues required to facilitate early mobilization. Finally, we present a "roadmap" outlining future directions moving toward the development and testing of early ICU mobility therapies.
authors.affiliation: Section on Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Immunologic Diseases, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Gray Building, Room 3141, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA. pemorris@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Margaret S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Herridge
mesh_terms: D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. / Q000458:organization & administration; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004434:Early Ambulation / Q000639:trends; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000502:physiology; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D018579:Patient Selection; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014481:United States