Influence of early mobilization on respiratory and peripheral muscle strength in critically ill patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of an early mobilization protocol on respiratory and peripheral muscles in critically ill patients.

Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with 59 male and female patients on mechanical ventilation. The patients were divided into a conventional physical therapy group (control group, n=14) that received the sector's standard physical therapy program and an early mobilization group (n=14) that received a systematic early mobilization protocol.