Objective
Survivors of critical illness commonly experience persistent physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments, collectively known as post-intensive care syndrome. Although intensive care unit (ICU) rehabilitation is now recognized as an important part of recovery after critical illness, rehabilitation practices remain inconsistent, and clinical practice guidelines adapted to the Korean healthcare context have not been available.
Methods
These clinical practice guidelines were developed de novo by a multidisciplinary panel comprising critical care physicians, rehabilitation specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals. The panel prioritized 15 key clinical questions addressing adult, pediatric, and neonatal ICU (NICU) rehabilitation. Systematic literature searches were conducted in Medline via PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed, and the final searches for all 15 questions were completed by November 30, 2024. The certainty of evidence and strength of recommendations were assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Final recommendations were approved through a structured consensus process requiring at least 70% panel agreement.
Results
The panel issued 15 recommendations across major rehabilitation domains, including early structured rehabilitation, criteria for withholding or discontinuing therapy, adjunctive modalities, rehabilitation frequency, inspiratory muscle training, swallowing rehabilitation, cognitive and occupational therapy, nutritional support, neonatal and pediatric ICU rehabilitation, and post-ICU follow-up care. Thirteen recommendations were conditional, whereas two were strong, mainly because they addressed patient safety.
Conclusion
These guidelines provide evidence-informed recommendations for rehabilitation in critically ill patients across adult, pediatric, and NICUs in Korea. They are designed to standardize practice, improve patient safety, support patient-centered functional recovery beyond survival, and identify priorities for future research.

Objective
To examine the association between the mobilization level during intensive care unit (ICU) admission and independence in activity of daily living (ADL), defined as Barthel Index (BI)≥70.
Methods
This was a post-hoc analysis of the EMPICS study involving nine hospitals. Consecutive patients who spend >48 hours in the ICU were eligible for inclusion. Mobilization was performed at each hospital according to the shared protocol and the highest ICU mobility score (IMS) during the ICU stay, baseline characteristics, and BI at hospital discharge. Multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusted for baseline characteristics, was used to deter-mine the association between the highest IMS (using the receiver operating characteristic [ROC]) and ADL.
Results
Of the 203 patients, 143 were assigned to the ADL independence group and 60 to the ADL dependence group. The highest IMS score was significantly higher in the ADL independence group than in the dependence group and was a predictor of ADL independence at hospital discharge (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.38; adjusted p=0.002). The ROC cutoff value for the highest IMS was 6 (specificity, 0.67; sensitivity, 0.70; area under the curve, 0.69).
Conclusion
These results indicate that, in patients who were in the ICU for more than 48 hours, that patients with good function in the ICU also exhibit good function upon discharge. However, prospective, multicenter trials are needed to confirm this conclusion.

Citations

• Health-Related Quality of Life and Mobility Levels in ICU Survivors with Heel Pressure Ulcer: An Observational Study
  Filippo Binda, Federica Marelli, Veronica Rossi, Lucia Villa, Andrea Cislaghi, Giacomo Grasselli
  Nursing Reports.2026; 16(1): 30.     CrossRef
• Impact of Preexisting Diabetes on Activities of Daily Living Independence at Hospital Discharge in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
  Shinichi Watanabe, Kota Yamauchi, Yuji Naito, Ayato Shinohara, Yasunari Morita, Yuki Iida
  Diabetology.2026; 7(2): 27.     CrossRef
• Occupational Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Cohort Study
  So Hyun Jeon, Sung Eun Hyun, Chae Hyeon Lee, Yeong Ae Yang, Shashank Kaushik
  Occupational Therapy International.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Definitions and Prognoses of Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism Syndrome: A Comparative Analysis via Systematic Review and Observational Study in Japan
  Shinya Suganuma, Naoki Kanda, Minoru Yoshida, Hayabusa Takano, Hideaki Sakuramoto, Akane Kariya, Hiroyuki Ohbe, Kensuke Nakamura
  Critical Care Medicine.2026; 54(9): 2269.     CrossRef
• From muscle dysfunction to functionality: challenges and pathways for rehabilitation in critically ill patients
  Debora Stripari Schujmann, Raquel Annoni, Sabrina Eggmann, Saint Clair Gomes Bernardes
  Critical Care Science.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Factors associated with functional recovery after intensive care unit discharge in patients with mechanical ventilation: A multi-centre prospective observational study
  Kota Yamauchi, Shinichi Watanabe, Yuji Naito, Kei Goto, Shota Tanaka, Tokuaki Shinya, Yoshihisa Fujino, Kazuki Ogawa, Tomohiro Yoshikawa, Yoshie Hirota
  Clinical Rehabilitation.2025; 39(7): 945.     CrossRef
• Impact of Early Rehabilitation Initiation on Walking Recovery in Critically Ill Patients
  Ryuji Yoshinaga, Narumi Yamada, Ryo Kozu
  Cureus.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Balancing Rehabilitation Dose in Acute Stroke Decision-Making and Global Assessment (The BRIDGE Study)
  Shinichi Watanabe, Wataru Yamauchi, Katsuma Shoka, Asahi Kawashima, Shogo Sawamura, Kousuke Kanamori, Tetsuya Furukawa, Yuji Naito, Naoki Takeshita, Keita Utiyama, Rtota Imai, Kanari Kiritani, Naoyuki Hashimoto, Hideaki Tanaka, Yushi Mitani, Takayuki Kita
  Journal of Clinical Medicine.2025; 14(19): 6786.     CrossRef
• Factors associated with functional independence at hospital discharge and 6 months post-hospitalization in intensive care unit survivors with cancer: A prospective cohort study
  Gustavo Telles da Silva, Lavinia Gomes Cavalcante, Maria Luiza Valério Dalzini, Leda Tomiko Yamada da Silveira, Débora Stripari Schujmann, Carolina Fu
  Supportive Care in Cancer.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Association between changes in disease severity and physical function after surviving a critical illness: A multicentre retrospective observational study
  Keibun Liu, Tomohiro Hamagami, Naoki Sugiyasu, Kenji Fujizuka, Akira Kawauchi, Sou Yamada, Takayuki Ogura, Naoko Hirata, Takafumi Tani, Shunsuke Taito, Kohei Ota, David McWilliams, Hajime Katsukawa, Toru Kotani
  Australian Critical Care.2024; 37(6): 889.     CrossRef

The survival rate of children admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth is on the increase; hence, proper evaluation and care of their neurodevelopment has become an important issue. Neurodevelopmental assessments of individual domains regarding motor, language, cognition, and sensory perception are crucial in planning prompt interventions for neonates requiring immediate support and rehabilitation treatment. These assessments are essential for identifying areas of weakness and designing targeted interventions to improve future functional outcomes and the quality of lives for both the infants and their families. However, initial stratification of risk to select those who are in danger of neurodevelopmental disorders is also important in terms of cost-effectiveness. Efficient and robust functional evaluations to recognize early signs of developmental disorders will help NICU graduates receive interventions and enhance functional capabilities if needed. Several age-dependent, domain-specific neurodevelopmental assessment tools are available; therefore, this review summarizes the characteristics of these tools and aims to develop multidimensional, standardized, and regular follow-up plans for NICU graduates in Korea.

Citations

• Early developmental intervention and neurodevelopmental trajectories in preterm infants without severe brain injury
  Jungha Yun, Seong Phil Bae, Do Hyun Kim, Woo Ryoung Lee, Suyeon Park
  Pediatric Research.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Recurrent peripheral intravenous catheterization in neonates: A case series
  Stephanie Hall, Emily Larsen, Linda Cobbald, Nicole Marsh, Linda McLaughlin, Mari Takashima, Robert S. Ware, Amanda Ulman, Deanne August
  Nursing in Critical Care.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Evaluating Non-Invasive Computer Vision-Based Quantification of Neonatal Movement as a Marker of Development in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study
  Janet Pigueiras-del-Real, Lionel C. Gontard, Isabel Benavente-Fernández, Syed Taimoor Hussain, Syed Adil Hussain, Simón P. Lubián-López, Angel Ruiz-Zafra
  Healthcare.2025; 13(13): 1577.     CrossRef
• Improvement in functional motor scores in patients with non-ambulatory spinal muscle atrophy during Nusinersen treatment in South Korea: a single center study
  Jin A. Yoon, Yuju Jeong, Jiae Lee, Dong Jun Lee, Kyung Nam Lee, Yong Beom Shin
  BMC Neurology.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• NICU Graduates and Psychosocial Problems in Childhood: A Systematic Review
  Ravi Gajula, Veerabadram Yeshala, Nagalakshmi Gogikar, Rakesh Kotha
  Cureus.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Performance of Activities of Daily Living in Typically Developing Children in Korea: Normative Value of K-MBI
  Mi-Jeong Yoon, Sungwoo Paek, Jongbin Lee, Youngdeok Hwang, Joon-Sung Kim, Yeun-Jie Yoo, Bo Young Hong
  Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2024; 48(4): 281.     CrossRef
• Modern approaches to assessing motor development in infants and young children in clinical practice
  Natalia V. Andrushchenko, Alexander B. Palchik, Marina V. Osipova
  Russian Family Doctor.2024; 28(4): 24.     CrossRef

Objective
To investigate the effect on early mobilization in patients undergoing extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and acute blood purification therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods
We conducted this multicenter retrospective cohort study by collecting data from six ICUs in Japan. Consecutive patients who were admitted to the ICU, aged ≥18 years, and received mechanical ventilation for >48 hours were eligible. The analyzed were divided into two groups: ECMO/blood purification or control group. Clinical outcomes; time to first mobilization, number of total ICU rehabilitations, mean and highest ICU mobility scale (IMS); and daily barrier changes were also investigated.
Results
A total of 204 patients were included in the analysis, 43 in the ECMO/blood purification group and 161 in the control group. In comparison of clinical outcome, the ECMO/blood purification group had a significantly longer time to first mobilization: ECMO/blood purification group 6 vs. control group 4 (p=0.003), higher number of total ICU rehabilitations: 6 vs. 5 (p=0.042), lower mean: 0 vs. 1 (p=0.043) and highest IMS: 2 vs. 3 (p=0.039) during ICU stay. Circulatory factor were most frequently described as barriers to early mobilization on days 1 (51%), 2 (47%), and 3 (26%). On days 4 to 7, the most frequently described barrier was consciousness factors (21%, 16%, 19%, and 21%, respectively)
Conclusion
The results of this study comparing the ECMO/blood purification group and the untreated group in the ICU showed that the ECMO/blood purification group had significantly longer days to mobilization and significantly lower mean and highest IMS.

Citations

• Acute cerebral infarction caused by severe anaphylactic shock: A case report
  Mingyue Li, Yu Han, Jingping Wang
  Journal of Anesthesia and Translational Medicine.2026; 5(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Impact of ICU-Based Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Blood Purification Therapy on the Time Required for Early Rehabilitation
  Shinichi Watanabe, Tomohiro Yoshikawa, Yoshie Hirota, Yuji Naito, Daisetsu Yasumura, Kota Yamauchi, Keisuke Suzuki, Takayasu Koike, Yasunari Morita
  Cureus.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Survival outcomes and mobilization during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a retrospective cohort study
  Felix A. Rottmann, Christian Noe, Xavier Bemtgen, Sven Maier, Alexander Supady, Tobias Wengenmayer, Dawid L. Staudacher
  Frontiers in Medicine.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef

Objective
To discuss the association between the length of stay at the intensive care unit (ICU) and sarcopenia among hemiplegic stroke patients.
Methods
This study evaluated 66 hemiplegic stroke patients with history of ICU admission using handgrip strength and bioelectrical impedance analysis to obtain height-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle mass. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was made according to the muscle mass based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. The patients were divided into sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups. The two groups were statistically analyzed, and the significant factors with differences were studied. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between length of stay in the ICU and sarcopenia, after adjusting for potential confounders.
Results
Among 66 hemiplegic patients with an ICU admission history, 12 patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia patients showed lower scores on the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index and the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Additionally, patients with sarcopenia had a longer length of stay in the ICU, and univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that the ICU length of stay was significantly related to sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio=1.187; 95% confidence interval, 1.019–1.382; p=0.028).
Conclusion
The length of stay in the ICU was significantly associated with sarcopenia in hemiplegic stroke patients.

Citations

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  Emre Berk Hazar, Betül Canbolat Güder, Kürşat Hazar, Umut Diyar Gök, Nouf H. Alkhamees, Zizi M. Ibrahim, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Alexios Batrakoulis
  BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The importance of sarcopenia in the prediction of outcomes of acute cerebral insufficiency in patients with post-intensive care syndrome: descriptive prospective cohort study
  Vadim I. Ershov, A. S. Dobrynin, T. V. Biryukova, N. O. Davydova
  Annals of Critical Care.2026; (3): 137.     CrossRef
• Associated factors for stroke-related sarcopenia: a scoping review
  Fanchi Xu, Yaqin You, Yijing Ling, Yehong Wei, Meng Hu
  Frontiers in Neurology.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Assessment tools for patients with stroke-related sarcopenia: a scoping review
  Yanran Liang, Linli Xie, Wanwan Qiao, Runfang Guo, Hejia Wan, Jie Jing
  Frontiers in Medicine.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Usefulness of body composition assessment by bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in subacute post-stroke patients in rehabilitation
  Alessandro Guerrini, Mariacristina Siotto, Carola Cocco, Marco Germanotta, Valeria Cipollini, Laura Cortellini, Arianna Pavan, Stefania Lattanzi, Sabina Insalaco, Yeganeh Manon Khazrai, Irene Giovanna Aprile
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• HANDGRIP STRENGTH AND DASH EATING BEHAVIOR IS RELATED TO HIGHER BLOOD PRESSURE ON PRE-ELDERLY AND ELDERLY IN YOGYAKARTA
  Adhila Fayasari, Anis Febri Nilansari, Margala Juang Bertorio
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• Effects of Leucine Supplementation in Older Adults with Sarcopenia: A Meta-Analysis
  Chienhsiu Huang, Min-Hong Hsieh
  Nutrients.2025; 17(15): 2413.     CrossRef
• Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation: Novel Predictive Value of CT-Derived Adipose Tissue Density in Minimally Invasive Mitral Surgery
  M Pekar, D Vician, O Jiravsky, B Jiravska Godula, P Branny, R Spacek, M Kantor, M Skotakova, J Chovancik, L Sknouril, J Novak
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• Indirect calorimetry directed feeding and cycling in the older ICU population: a pilot randomised controlled trial
  Ng Shu Hui Elizabeth, Tan Yanni, Leong Siaw May, Tiong Hui Fen, Li Xuanhui Janice, Kwan Peijun, Ong Sze Pheng, Toh Shi Jie, Loh Ne Hooi Will
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• Effects of Brunnstrom movement therapy versus mirror therapy on hand function in post-stroke hemiplegic population
  Nimra, Ayesha Zulifiqar, Muhammad Umair Javaid, Reham Ali Mohamed Ali Ahmed
  Journal of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Research.2024; 8: 389.     CrossRef
• Association between handgrip strength and small airway disease in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  Thanapon Keawon, Narongkorn Saiphoklang
  Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Trunk Impairment Scale for Predicting Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density in Young Male Patients With Subacute Stroke
  Yeon Hee Cho, Hyun Seok, Sang-Hyun Kim, Seung Yeol Lee, Hyun Jung Kim
  Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2023; 47(2): 98.     CrossRef
• Accuracy of Calf Circumference Measurement, SARC-F Questionnaire, and Ishii's Score for Screening Stroke-Related Sarcopenia
  Ruihong Yao, Liqing Yao, Changli Yuan, Bu-Lang Gao
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• Natural aging course of lumbar extensor muscle mass and strength in community-dwelling older women: a 1-year prospective observational study
  Dong Hyun Kim, Jinhee Park, Chang Won Lee, Sang Yoon Lee
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• Relationship between Nutritional Status, Food Consumption and Sarcopenia in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: Preliminary Data
  Mariacristina Siotto, Marco Germanotta, Alessandro Guerrini, Simona Pascali, Valeria Cipollini, Laura Cortellini, Elisabetta Ruco, Yeganeh Manon Khazrai, Laura De Gara, Irene Aprile
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• Handgrip Strength: An Irreplaceable Indicator of Muscle Function
  Sang Yoon Lee
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