This study indicated that early mobilization was effective in preventing the occurrence of ICU-AW, shortening the length of ICU and hospital stay, and improving the functional mobility. However, it had no effect on the ICU mortality rate and ventilator-free days.

15 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 1,941 patients were included in this meta-analysis.

Pooled estimates suggested that early mobilization significantly reduced the incidence of ICU-AW, shortened the length of ICU and hospital stays, and improved the Medical Research Council score and Barthel Index score at hospital discharge.

Moreover, early mobilization also decreased complications such as deep vein thrombosis, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and pressure sores.

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