Effects of exertional dyspnea on early mobilization of patients with acute decompensated heart failure.
Yota Yamazaki, Hiroki Yabe, Koichi Sawano and 2 others
PMID 35937626WHAT IT FOUND
Patients with acute decompensated heart failure who reported worse breathlessness after a 10 m walk on day 3 took longer to complete mobilization.
Day 3 breathlessness may help therapists plan early rehab intensity.
Key findings
01Mobilization length was significantly correlated with breathlessness on day 1 (r=0.48), breathlessness on day 3 (r=0.60), and delay before starting mobilization (r=0.41).
02In the regression model, day 3 breathlessness and delay before starting mobilization were significantly related to mobilization length.
03The patients averaged 6.0 ± 4.9 days to complete mobilization and 28.0 ± 12.8 days in hospital.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 52 patients from one hospital. It may not apply to other settings. Patients with cognitive decline were excluded. Results may not apply to patients unable to rate breathlessness. Breathlessness was a subjective rating and the study was not blinded. Measurement bias is possible. The sample included more patients with congestive heart failure than cardiogenic shock. It may not apply to low-output presentations. Unmeasured confounding factors may have affected mobilization length.
Declared interests
All authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that breathlessness causes longer mobilization or that treating breathlessness will shorten the program. This study observed an association, not a cause-and-effect treatment effect.