Combining exercise, protein supplementation and electric stimulation to mitigate muscle wasting and improve outcomes for survivors of critical illness —The ExPrES study

Older patients who suffer from critical illness, particularly those requiring mechanical ventilation (MV), are at high risk for skeletal muscle wasting and loss of physical function from prolonged bed rest. This debilitated state can further perpetuate a prolonged Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay resulting in increased mortality. The mechanisms for this muscle wasting are multifactorial and include endotoxin-mediated inflammation, nutritional inadequacy and altered substrate metabolism.1-5 Efforts at rehabilitating older, critically ill patients during an ICU admission vary from passive mobility and range of motion exercises in bed-bound patients6-8 to progressive ambulation.

Source: Heart and Lung - December 3, 2022 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Avelino C. Verceles, Monica Serra, Derik Davis, Gad Alon, Chris L Wells, Elizabeth Parker, John Sorkin, Waqas Bhatti, Michael L. Terrin Source Type: research