Exposing intensive care patients to light exercise may reduce time in hospital and improve long-term patient recovery.

Researchers at Monash University will begin trialling early exercise programs in 12 intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand for patients who are mechanically ventilated. Lead investigator Dr Carol Hodgson said early mobilisation was not commonly used in ICUs and weakness was known to be a substantial problem. The observational study is one the largest investigations of the feasibility of exercise in critically ill patients. Overseas light exercise in hospital has shown to reduce the length of sedation, hospital stay and to improve functional independence. Hodgson said early...