Table 1 Rehabilitation trials after critical illness that strongly influenced the intervention development

Jones et al. 2003 [20]

Ward-based: Self-help manual over 6 weeks, which improved physical function (measured using the SF-36 PCS) at 2 and 6 months following ICU discharge. Patients were recruited to the study within 1 week of discharge from intensive care. The intervention group received the self-help manual in addition to the routine ICU follow-up that all patients received.

Schweickert et al. 2009 [49]

Intensive Care: Early exercise and mobilisation (physical and occupational therapy) during sedation breaks in intensive care. Patients were recruited if less than 72 hours of mechanical ventilation. Return to independent functional status at hospital discharge was significantly higher in the intervention group. They also had a shorter duration of delirium and more ventilator-free days compared to the standard care group. The intervention was delivered primarily in the ICU.

Cuthbertson et al. 2009 (PRaCTICaL) [21]

Discharge Home: Nurse-led follow-up clinic at 3 and 9 months post-hospital discharge, in combination with a manual based, self-directed, physical rehabilitation programme introduced in hospital. At 12 months, there were no statistically significant differences in HRQoL or any secondary measures between groups.

HRQoL, health-related quality of life; SF-36 PCS, SF-36 Physical Component Score