[Early mobilization in the intensive care unit for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage-a review].

Background: Early mobilization of critical ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has a positive effect on outcome. Currently, due to concerns of cerebral vasospasm and rebleeding patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have a prolong bedrest for 12-14 days.

Objective: What effect does early mobilization have on vasospasm, clinical outcome, length of stay and ICU complication rate in patients with SAH compared to standard treatment?

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE via the PubMed® (U.S. National Library of Medicine®, Bethesda, MD, USA) and CINAHL® (EBSCO, Ipswich, MA, USA) databases.

Results: A total of 14 studies were identified. Overall, the studies showed an improved functional outcome and a reduction in the length of hospitalization and ventilation time. Only in one study did vasospasms occur more frequently and the outcome of patients with early mobilization was worse.

Conclusion: Further research is needed to identify possible positive effects of early mobilization in patients with SAH and to be able to describe the risk-benefit ratio more precisely.