Effects of continuous rehabilitation on intensive care unit-acquired weakness after open-heart surgery: a case report

[Purpose] To assess the effects of continuous rehabilitation on intensive care unit-acquired weakness in a patient who underwent open-heart surgery. [Participant and Methods] This case report describes a 78-year-old female patient who developed intensive care unit-acquired weakness after open-heart surgery. She underwent cardiac surgery, via a thoracotomy, for valvular disease and angina pectoris. Her Medical Research Council sum score at the time of rehabilitative intervention was 28 points, indicating intensive care unit-acquired weakness. Rehabilitation was continued, and the patient’s physical function was evaluated over time. [Results] Continuous rehabilitation improved the patient’s grip strength, knee extension muscle strength, 6-minute walk test performance, and Short Physical Performance Battery score. [Conclusion] Although few reports have been published on rehabilitation for patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness, our case suggests that appropriate rehabilitative intervention according to the severity of the condition and continuous rehabilitation may improve the patients’ activities of daily living and physical function.