Abstract
Persistent immobility is linked with short and long-term disabilities in children admitted to critical area. Aim: the aim of the study was to assess the effect of early mobilization intervention on controling acquired muscle weakness among pediatric critically Ill patients. Randomized control trail was carried out on 80 pediatric patients divided equally into the study and the control groups in pediatric intensive care unit at Aswan University Hospital. Tools: Three tools were used to collect data: Tool I, included personal data , medical data and assessment scale for monitoring children's muscle strength .Tool II: Assessment delirium scale (Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale. Tool III: Assess signs of intolerance. Results: after early mobilization intervention, mean of muscle strength in the study group (4.63 ± 0.59) was higher than the control group (3.52 ± 1.89) with highly statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Majority of children in the study group their ambulation distance at ICU discharge were increased. The mean time of moving out of bed was 2.90 ± 1.66 days for children in the study group vs. 3.20 ± 1.42 of them in the control group. Mean length of hospital stay was 4.28 ± 1.59 days for children in the study group vs. 6.38 ± 2.10 day of them in the control group with statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.005). Conclusion: Ambulation distance at ICU discharge was increased among studied group. There was significance difference between the two groups regarding length of hospital stay. Implementation of early mobilization intervention improves the children' muscle strength. Recommendation: Early mobilization protocol should be incorporated into daily clinical practice of pediatric intensive care unit.