Effects of Mobilization Within 24 Hours Based on the ICU Mobility Scale in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial "Mobilization Based on the ICU Mobility Scale".

Background and objective: Abdominal cancer surgery leads to loss of functional capacity. The objective was to evaluate the effects of mobilization within 24 h applied to patients with abdominal neoplasms undergoing major surgery.

Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in the Intensive Care Unit. The intervention group performed mobility activities guided by the ICU mobility scale (IMS) in the first 24 h after surgery and the control group performed conventional physiotherapy. Dynamometry was evaluated in the preoperative, 1st POD and postoperative period, as well as the Timed up and go test (TUG).

Results: Patients in the intervention group had greater initial mobility (IMS Scale intervention group: 6.67 ± 0.69; IMS Scale control group: 2.23 ± 0.52; p = 0.001). There was greater level of mobility until discharge from the ICU in patients in the intervention group compared to the control group (IMS at discharge from the ICU in the intervention group: 8.53 ± 0.33; IMS at discharge from the ICU in the control group: 3 ± 0.64). Both groups showed worsening in the TUG test, but it was significant only in the control group.

Conclusion: Early mobilization in patients with abdominal neoplasms undergoing major surgery proved to be effective in maintaining mobility and functional markers.