Early efficacy observation of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a study protocol for a self-controlled randomised controlled trial

Introduction Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is a common and severe complication in critically ill patients, associated with high morbidity and poor prognosis. Despite increasing focus on ICUAW, definitive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies remain absent. Early mobilisation has been...

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Main Authors: Heng Wu, Lifan Xu, Xiaonan Huang, Jialiang Song, Fanfu Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e093934.full
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author Heng Wu
Lifan Xu
Xiaonan Huang
Jialiang Song
Fanfu Fang
author_facet Heng Wu
Lifan Xu
Xiaonan Huang
Jialiang Song
Fanfu Fang
author_sort Heng Wu
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is a common and severe complication in critically ill patients, associated with high morbidity and poor prognosis. Despite increasing focus on ICUAW, definitive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies remain absent. Early mobilisation has been demonstrated as an effective intervention for preventing and alleviating ICUAW. This study aims to evaluate the early-stage efficacy of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with ICUAW.Methods and analysis This study is a self-controlled randomised trial aiming to include 60 patients with ICUAW. Each patient’s lower limbs will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The control group will receive standard rehabilitation therapy, while the experimental group will receive additional suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy alongside standard care. The intervention will be delivered for 40 min daily, 5 days per week, over a 2-week period. The primary outcome measure is the thickness of key lower-limb muscles assessed via musculoskeletal ultrasound. Secondary outcome measures include the Medical Research Council score, range of motion of the lower-limb joints, and limb circumference. Data will be collected at baseline, after 1 week of intervention and at the 2-week endpoint.Ethics and dissemination This study has received ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of Changhai Hospital, affiliated with the Naval Medical University (approval reference: CHEC2023-055). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. The findings, including both positive and negative outcomes, will be disseminated through publication in international peer-reviewed journals and presentation at relevant academic conferences.Trial registration number ChiCTR2300070118.
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spelling doaj-art-938e41ff2e4c47818bf1d54b900fe2d72025-08-20T02:16:50ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552025-05-0115510.1136/bmjopen-2024-093934Early efficacy observation of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a study protocol for a self-controlled randomised controlled trialHeng Wu0Lifan Xu1Xiaonan Huang2Jialiang Song3Fanfu Fang4Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, ChinaIntroduction Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is a common and severe complication in critically ill patients, associated with high morbidity and poor prognosis. Despite increasing focus on ICUAW, definitive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies remain absent. Early mobilisation has been demonstrated as an effective intervention for preventing and alleviating ICUAW. This study aims to evaluate the early-stage efficacy of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with ICUAW.Methods and analysis This study is a self-controlled randomised trial aiming to include 60 patients with ICUAW. Each patient’s lower limbs will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The control group will receive standard rehabilitation therapy, while the experimental group will receive additional suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy alongside standard care. The intervention will be delivered for 40 min daily, 5 days per week, over a 2-week period. The primary outcome measure is the thickness of key lower-limb muscles assessed via musculoskeletal ultrasound. Secondary outcome measures include the Medical Research Council score, range of motion of the lower-limb joints, and limb circumference. Data will be collected at baseline, after 1 week of intervention and at the 2-week endpoint.Ethics and dissemination This study has received ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of Changhai Hospital, affiliated with the Naval Medical University (approval reference: CHEC2023-055). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. The findings, including both positive and negative outcomes, will be disseminated through publication in international peer-reviewed journals and presentation at relevant academic conferences.Trial registration number ChiCTR2300070118.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e093934.full
spellingShingle Heng Wu
Lifan Xu
Xiaonan Huang
Jialiang Song
Fanfu Fang
Early efficacy observation of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a study protocol for a self-controlled randomised controlled trial
BMJ Open
title Early efficacy observation of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a study protocol for a self-controlled randomised controlled trial
title_full Early efficacy observation of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a study protocol for a self-controlled randomised controlled trial
title_fullStr Early efficacy observation of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a study protocol for a self-controlled randomised controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Early efficacy observation of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a study protocol for a self-controlled randomised controlled trial
title_short Early efficacy observation of suspended lower-limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a study protocol for a self-controlled randomised controlled trial
title_sort early efficacy observation of suspended lower limb rehabilitation robot assisted therapy in patients with intensive care unit acquired weakness a study protocol for a self controlled randomised controlled trial
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e093934.full
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