A new national clinical trial funded by the NIH provides “important new evidence about how rehabilitation and nutrition interventions should be delivered during severe illness” in the ICU.

Researchers found that the “combined exercise and nutrition intervention could be safely delivered to critically ill patients and generated important insights into recovery after acute respiratory failure. Contrary to research conducted in other patient groups, such as frail or older adults, this combined intervention did not improve outcomes compared to usual ICU care, helping set a new direction for future research in the field.”

The trial “examined whether combining early in-bed cycling exercise with added protein nutritional intake could improve physical recovery for critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure.” Critical care researchers have identified this combination as a key area of investigation.

Researchers evaluated “mobility, strength, physical function, quality of life, cognitive function and other patient-centered outcomes during hospitalization and for six months after discharge. While the study found no significant differences in recovery outcomes between the two groups, the…trial provides valuable evidence that will help researchers refine future rehabilitation and nutrition strategies and focus on new approaches to improving recovery after critical illness.”