Examination of Studies on Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Muscle Weakness in Last Decade: A Systematic Review

Aim: This study aims to investigate the studies conducted in last 10 years on prevention ofintensive care unit acquired weakness (ICU-AW) by alteration in muscles and the effect ofexercises.Material and Methods: By reaching total of 126 studies published between 2005-2015 inDecember 2015 via using Pubmed and EBSCO Databases, eight of these studies that met thestudy criteria were included in the sample. “ICU-AW”, “Muscle Weakness”, “Critical illnessmyopathy”, “Critical illness polyneuropathy”, “Intensive care unit”, and “Exercise” werethe keywords for the study. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective cohorts andprospective observational studies that contains “ICU-AW and Exercise” issues were includedin the study.Results: Total of eight studies, including four RCTs and four prospective studies, wereinvestigated in our study. Reviewed studies showed that loss of muscle strength and myosinoccurred with immobility, these losses increased with the extension of ICU stay. It wasobserved that recovery period of the problem caused by muscle weakness took longer than 12months. Regardless of type, duration, intensity of exercise, and the patients’ characteristics;studies stated that exercise had positive effects.Conclusion: It has been determined that studies on ICU-AW in last ten years have recentlyshown an increase, research methodologies are not homogeneous, and the measuringinstruments varied. More evidence-based study are needed to determine and manage theunderlying factors of ICU-AW.