Time spent in different body positions is associated with functional performance in critically ill patients: a prospective study

Introduction: Critically ill patients are exposed to immobility. Critical patient spend more time in bed rest and the physiologic effects can impact on functional capacity. Mobility and high posture have been encouraged for these patients. Few studies have objectively measured how long patients spend lying, sitting or standing during intensive care unit (ICU) stay and if there is association with functional outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the time patients spend lying, sitting and standing during ICU stay and its association with status functional at ICU discharge. Methods: This was a prospective observational study that included 161 patients older than 18 years, admitted to the ICU, who presented Barthel index score = 100 points before hospitalization. An accelerometer was used to assess patient’s mobility during the stay in ICU. The variables used in the analysis were percentage of time and amount of time in sitting, standing and lying down. The patient’s functionality was assessed using the Barthel index at ICU discharge. Results: Patients spent 89% of the time lying down, 7% seated and 4% on standing position. The age (OR = 1.08; 95%CI 1.04 – 1.13) and percentage of time lying down (OR = 1.1; 95%CI 1.04 – 1.17) were independent factors for functional dependence. Time in standing (OR = 0.76; 95%CI 0.66 – 0.88) was associated with maintenance of functionality. Conclusion: There is association with time in bed rest and worse status functional at ICU discharge. On the other hand, the time in standing position was a protective factor for functional dependency.