The use of robotic and technical systems for early mobilization of intensive care patients: A scoping review

The use of robotic and technical systems for early mobilization of intensive care patients: A scoping review Abstract. Background: Intensive care patients are often subjected to immobility for too long. However, when they are mobilized early, positive effects on patient outcomes, such as improvement in physical function, can be demonstrated. One of the reasons for rare mobilization is that too less therapeutic equipment is available. Aims: This paper provides an overview of previous research on early robot- or technology-assisted mobilization of intensive care patients. Which robotic and technical aids are used in studies on early mobilization of adult intensive care patients by nurses or physiotherapists? What effect of early mobilization using robotic and technical systems on patient outcomes are reported in the studies? Methods: A systematic literature search was undertaken within the Databases Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, IEEE Xplore, Scopus and WTI between May and July 2020 and in January 2022. In addition, a marginal search was performed via GoogleScolar and ResearchGate in the first search run. Results: 27 publications were included (9 RCTs, 7 texts and opinions, 3 cross-sectional studies, 2 case-control studies, 2 literature reviews, 2 case reports, 2 quasi-experimental intervention studies). It is evident that electronic bed-mounted exercise bicycles and tilt tables are the most commonly used assistive devices. There is an inconsistent data situation with regard to different patient outcomes. Conclusion: Further research on the use of technical and robotic early mobilization is, particularly in relation to different study populations, needed. Early mobilization robotics is not yet part of standard care.