Concurrent nutrition and physical rehabilitation interventions for patients with critical illness

Journal
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care
ISSN
1473-6519
Date Issued
2024-12-16
Author(s)
Kirby P. Mayer
Renee D. Stapleton
Type
journal-article
DOI
URL
Abstract
The effects of either physical rehabilitation or nutrition on outcomes in patients with critical illness are variable and remain unclear. The potential for the combination of exercise and nutritional delivered concurrently to provide benefit is provocative, but data are only emerging. Herein, we provide a summary of evidence from 2023 and 2024 on combined physical rehabilitation and nutrition during and following critical illness.
Recent findings
While latest trials on physical rehabilitation alone reported conflicting findings, recent nutrition trials found no difference between higher and lower protein delivery and even suggested harm in patients with acute kidney injury. In 2023 and 2024, we identified four studies (one randomized controlled trial) combining physical rehabilitation and nutrition (mainly protein supplementation) within the ICU setting. Overall, these suggested benefits, including reduction of muscle size loss, ICU acquired weakness, delirium, and improved mobility levels, although these benefits did not extend to mortality and hospital length of stay. No recent trials combining physical rehabilitation and nutrition for patients after ICU were identified.</jats:p>
Subjects
acute kidney failure

; 

critical illness

; 

delirium

; 

diet therapy

; 

exercise

; 

human

; 

intensive care

; 

intensive care unit

; 

length of stay

; 

major clinical study

; 

mortality

; 

muscle mass

; 

nutrition

; 

patient care

; 

physiotherapy

; 

randomized controlled trial

; 

rehabilitation

; 

review

; 

therapy

; 

weakness