ABSTRACT
The lack of a clear definition for the term “rehabilitation” has resulted in a lack of understanding among practitioners of what rehabilitation has to offer to patients. What is clear from current literature, however, is that rehabilitation has evolved from its original concept described by Howard Rusk (1) of being the “third phase of medicine” to a new paradigm of early rehabilitation. It is now accepted that the earlier the rehabilitation strategies are begun, the greater are their effects (2). Although the benefits of rehabilitation for individuals with COPD, heart failure, spinal injury, and neurological conditions have been well described, in terms of symptom control, reduced admission to an acute facility and increase in quality of life and life satisfaction; there is limited information regarding the impact of rehabilitation on ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV). The question remains as to whether early and continuous rehabilitation in the ICU can influence patient outcome by enhancing functional capacity physiologically and psychologically as well as by reducing the risks associated with the ICU.
