Quality of Life Improves with Individualized Home-based Exercises in Critical Care Survivors

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to determine the effect of individualized home-based exercise on the quality of life post-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) discharge. SUBJECTS: Adult patients invasively mechanically ventilated for more than 48 h in medical ICU. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-five patients were enrolled prospectively in this study. They were interviewed to complete short form 36 (SF-36) version 2 questionnaire and were randomly allocated to control and experimental group by block randomization. The experimental group received individualized exercise information sheet and control group was asked to continue routine exercises done during their hospital stay. The experimental group also received a log book and weekly telephonic reminders. Patients were interviewed to complete the SF-36 through the telephone 4 weeks after hospital discharge. RESULTS: Physical and mental components of the quality of life as measured by the SF-36 at the end of 4 weeks after hospital discharge showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: A well-structured individualized exercise program improves the quality of life of critically ill patients after discharge.