A Comparison of Early Rehabilitation in the Intensive Care Units of Patients With Severe COVID-19: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Aim This study aimed to investigate early rehabilitation in the intensive care unit (ICU) for patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who require mechanical ventilation Methods Twenty patients with severe COVID-19 (COVID-19 group) who were admitted to the ICU between April 2020 and March 2022 were included. For the control (non-COVID-19) group, 20 individuals were selected among ICU patients admitted between April 2018 and March 2020. The controls were propensity score-matched by age, sex, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. Results In the COVID-19 group, the percentage of extubated patients was significantly higher. Furthermore, mechanical ventilation and lengths of ICU stay were also significantly longer. There were no significant differences in discharge outcomes or mortality, but there was a significant difference in the number of muscle relaxants and steroid treatments utilized with the COVID-19 group, requiring more of these medications. The percentage of patients who achieved sitting on the edge of a bed was also significantly higher in the COVID-19 group, but the days between the first rehabilitation and first sitting were significantly greater in this group. Conclusion Early rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19 may be an effective measure to promote recovery. However, continued investigation is warranted.