Six-month trajectory of physical function in ICU survivors: Experience from an Eastern Cape centre
South African Journal of Physiotherapy
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Six-month trajectory of physical function in ICU survivors: Experience from an Eastern Cape centre | |
| Creator | van der Merwe, Elizabeth Stroud, Louise Sharp, Gary van Vuuren, Noline Paruk, Fathima | |
| Description |
Background: Physical impairment affects up to 60% of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors due to factors such as ICU-acquired neuromuscular weakness (ICU-AW), chronic pain, deconditioning and reduced organ and metabolic function. This impairment is linked to lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Objectives: Our study aimed to assess physical impairment and HRQOL among critically ill patients post hospital discharge. Method: Intensive care unit survivors were assessed six weeks and six months post hospital discharge. Physical performance was evaluated using the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and muscle strength with the Medical Research Council (MRC) score. Patients’ HRQOL was determined using the Rand Short Form-36 questionnaire. Results: A total of 107 patients (median age 42 years), including 50% with COVID-19, completed the 6-month follow-up. Although significant improvements were observed, 53.5% walked less than 80% of the predicted 6MWT distance at six months, with females disproportionately affected. Poor physical performance was associated with lower physical and mental HRQOL. Pain interfering with activities was reported by 26.2% at six months. Only 2% met full criteria for ICU-AW at six months. By six weeks, only 15% had attended physiotherapy. Conclusion: Intensive care unit survivors exhibited a high incidence of physical impairment and pain at six months, impacting HRQOL. Very few patients met full ICU-AW criteria. Clinical implications: Physical impairment after critical illness is multifactorial and is not only attributable to muscle weakness. The recovery process of young, previously non-frail ICU survivors in the public healthcare setting may be improved by introducing rehabilitation pathways. |
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| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2025-08-12 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2228 | |
| Source | South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Vol 81, No 1 (2025); 10 pages 2410-8219 0379-6175 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2228/3971
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2228/3972
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2228/3973
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2228/3974
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