Impact of Mobility on Different Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated Icu Patients

Reduced mobility is common among critically ill patients, especially those undergoing mechanical ventilation. Given this scenario, the aim of this study was to correlate mobility with different clinical outcomes in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. This was a cross-sectional, observational, quantitative study including individuals aged 18 years or older, of both sexes, undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Data were collected on age, ICU length of stay, ventilatory mode, prevalence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio, driving pressure, and clinical outcome (discharge or death). Physical function was assessed using the Perme Intensive Care Unit Mobility Score (Perme), which ranges from 0 to 32 points, with higher scores indicating better mobility. Data were correlated using Spearman or Pearson correlation coefficients, according to data distribution, considering p < 0.05. A total of 102 patients were included, with a mean age of 67±15 years and a median ICU length of stay of 10 4–15 days. Patients exhibited limited mobility (Perme: 2±6), and most were under controlled ventilatory mode, with mildly impaired oxygenation (PaO₂/FiO₂: 250±88) and acceptable driving pressure (11±4). Regarding outcomes, 32% of patients were discharged. A significant correlation was observed between mobility and outcome (r = 0.44; p < 0.001), suggesting that greater mobility was associated with higher likelihood of discharge. In addition, VAP showed weak correlations with the following outcomes: controlled mechanical ventilation mode (r = 0.20; p = 0.04), PaO₂/FiO₂ (r = 0.28; p = 0.09), and ICU length of stay (r = 0.28; p = 0.04). Spontaneous ventilation mode (PSV) correlated with mobility (r = 0.34; p = 0.01) and with PaO₂/FiO₂ (r = 0.26; p = 0.01). Functional mobility was associated with ICU discharge, indicating that patients with higher Perme scores present better clinical conditions for ventilatory weaning and oxygenation. Additionally, longer ICU stays correlated with worse clinical outcomes, such as VAP. These findings reinforce the importance of early mobilization in the ICU as an essential therapeutic strategy to promote recovery and facilitate discharge of critically ill patients.