The effect of early mobilization on sleep, physiological parameters, and length of stay in icu: A randomized controlled study

This study aims to examine the effects of early mobilization on sleep, physiological parameters, and length of stay in the intensive care unit. This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted among patients admitted to the Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit of Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, between April 2023 and March 2024. The sample consisted of 82 patients (41 experimental and 41 control) who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the "Patient Information Form", "Pain Scale-Numerical Pain Rating Scale", "Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)", "Physiological Parameter Monitoring Form", and "Richards Campbell Sleep Scale". In the experimental group, sedation was discontinued within the first 12 hours post-operation, and early mobilization was initiated once the effects had subsided. The control group was mobilized according to the standard procedure after surgery. Data collected during the study were analyzed using SPSS v26 statistical software. The results showed statistically significant differences in SpO2 values at the end of the 12th and 24th hours and in respiratory rate at the 24th hour in patients mobilized early. These findings suggest that early mobilization positively affects the respiratory system. It was determined that patients in the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit had poor to moderate sleep quality and that early mobilization influenced sleep quality and reduced the length of stay in the intensive care and hospital. Consequently, this study indicates that early mobilization can be implemented for cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit patients. It is recommended that in-service training activities focused on early mobilization be planned for nurses.