title: Prospective observation of physical activity in critically ill patients who were intubated for more than 48 hours.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Critical illness can result in impaired physical function. Increased physical activity, additional to rehabilitation, has demonstrated improved functional independence at hospital discharge. The purpose of this study was to measure patterns of physical activity in a group of critically ill patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-center, open, observational behavioral mapping study performed in a quaternary intensive care unit (ICU) in Melbourne, Australia. Observations were collected every 10 minutes for 8 hours between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm with the highest level of physical activity, patient location, and persons present at the bedside recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two thousand fifty observations were collected across 8 days. Patients spent more than 7 hours in bed (median [interquartile range] of 100% [69%-100%]) participating in little or no activity for approximately 7 hours of the day (median [interquartile range] 96% [76%-96%]). Outside rehabilitation, no activities associated with ambulation were undertaken. Patients who were ventilated at the time of observation compared with those who were not were less likely to be out of bed (98% reduction in odds). Patients spent up to 30% of their time alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outside rehabilitation, patients in ICU are inactive and spend approximately one-third of the 8-hour day alone. Strategies to increase physical activity levels in ICU are required.
authors: Physiotherapy Department, Austin Health, PO Box 5555, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, 3084; Fellow of The Institute of Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, 3084; Physiotherapy Department, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3010. Electronic address: Susan.Berney@austin.org.au.
authors: Susan C
authors: SC
authors: Berney
authors: Physiotherapy Department, Austin Health, PO Box 5555, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, 3084. Electronic address: Joleen.Rose@austin.org.au.
authors: Joleen W
authors: JW
authors: Rose
authors: Stroke Division, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 245 Burgandy St, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, 3084. Electronic address: j.bernhardt@unimelb.edu.au.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Bernhardt
authors: Physiotherapy Department, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3010. Electronic address: l.denehy@unimelb.edu.au.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Denehy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010351:Patient Discharge; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D016138:Walking
keywords: behavior; critical care; mobility; physical activity; physical therapy; sedentary