Early mobilization in acute stroke phase: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Early mobilization is defined as out-of-bed activities in acute stroke phase, and has led to improvements in functional capacity and reduction of complications after stroke. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of early mobilization in the acute stroke phase. METHODS: This was a systematic review. We searched for studies with the keywords: "Stroke," "Early mobilization" and "Functional outcomes." Data source: NLM, LILACS, MEDLINE, PEDro, and Science Direct. Studies published up to June 2020 were included; (b) study eligibility criteria: clinical trials; (c) participants: stroke patients in the acute phase; (d) interventions: early mobilization; (e) study appraisal: two authors independently assessed the risk of bias, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, and the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence. The safety was evaluated based on related and non-related adverse effects. RESULTS: Altogether, 476 studies were retrieved. After exclusion, seven studies involving 8663 patients were included in the qualitative synthesis. The main activities were elevation of the headboard, sitting, standing, and walking. The most important outcome assessed was the modified Rankin scale score (disability) after 3 months of stroke, and two studies showed that early mobilization improves functional capacity after stroke. CONCLUSION: the optimal time to start early mobilization is > 24 h of stroke according to hemodynamic stability and safety criteria. The duration of mobilization is recommended between 15 and 45 minutes, divided into one, two, or three times a day. The focus of early mobilization should be on sitting, standing, and walking activity.