Evaluation of the description of active mobilisation protocols for mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Background: The complete description of exercise interventions is essential to allow for the replication of clinical trials and to the correct application in clinical practice. Objectives: The aim of this review was to evaluate of the description of the active mobilisation protocols in patients on invasive mechanical ventilation at intensive care units (ICU). Methods: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template. Results: We identified 16 RCTs (n = 1,850). None sufficiently described the intervention for all items required for replication. The frequency, intensity, time, volume, and progression of active mobilisation as well as other important components of the intervention such as the instructor's qualifications/expertise, the types and incidence of adverse events, and the adherence to the exercise intervention were not adequately reported. Conclusion: Active mobilisation interventions were only incompletely described in RCTs, which can compromise replication in both, clinical and research settings. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.