Early rehabilitation in sepsis: a prospective randomised controlled trial investigating functional and physiological outcomes The i-PERFORM Trial (Protocol Article)

• Published in: BMC anesthesiology 2011-10, Vol.11 (1), p.21-21, Article 21
• Main Authors: Kayambu, Geetha, Boots, Robert J, Paratz, Jennifer D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Exercise therapy; Free radicals; Health sciences; Illnesses; Medicine; Mitochondrial DNA; Mortality; Musculoskeletal system; Outcome and process assessment (Health Care); Oxidative stress; Patient outcomes; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Sepsis; Statistical methods; Study Protocol; Womens health
• ISSN: 1471-2253; 1471-2253
• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2253-11-21

Patients with sepsis syndromes in comparison to general intensive care patients can have worse outcomes for physical function, quality of life and survival. Early intensive care rehabilitation can improve the outcome in general Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients, however no investigations have specifically looked at patients with sepsis syndromes. The 'i-PERFORM Trial' will investigate if early targeted rehabilitation is both safe and effective in patients with sepsis syndromes admitted to ICU. A single-centred blinded randomized controlled trial will be conducted in Brisbane, Australia. Participants (n = 252) will include those ≥ 18 years, mechanically ventilated for ≥ 48 hours and diagnosed with a sepsis syndrome. Participants will be randomised to an intervention arm which will undergo an early targeted rehabilitation program according to the level of arousal, strength and cardiovascular stability and a control group which will receive normal care.The primary outcome measures will be physical function tests on discharge from ICU (The Acute Care Index of Function and The Physical Function ICU Test). Health-related quality of life will be measured using the Short Form-36 and the psychological component will be tested using The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Secondary measures will include inflammatory biomarkers; Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10 and Tumour Necrosis Factor-α, peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA content and lactate, fat free muscle mass, tissue oxygenation and microcirculatory flow. The 'i-PERFORM Trial' will determine whether early rehabilitation for patients with sepsis is effective at improving patient outcomes with functional and physiological parameters reflecting long and short-term effects of early exercise and the safety in its application in critical illness. Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12610000808044.