Changes in Body Muscle and Limbs Muscle among Immobilized Critically Ill Patients with Acute Stroke

Abstract

Objectives This study examined the body muscle and limbs muscle loss among critically ill patients with acute stroke. Methods In this cross-sectional study, the clinical characteristics, lean body muscle and limbs muscle were measured on admission day, the 2nd day and the 7th day after admission in 23 acute stroke patients recruited from at a tertiary neuroscience intensive care unit. Immobilization was defined by medical research council score (MRCs≤48) and Richmond agitation and sedation score (RASS≤-2). Data were analyzed by repeated measures of ANOVA with Bonferroni’s correction and rank ANCOVA. Results Most clinical indices were improved on the 2nd day. The muscle loss incidence of lean body muscle, upper limb and lower limb was 65.2%, 56.5%, and 73.9% on the 7th day, respectively. Lean body muscle reduced by 1.05% at the 2nd day and by 1.45% at 7th day. Upper and lower limbs muscle reduced by 3.34% and 3.53% at 7th day, respectively. Conclusions Immobilization may lead to muscle loss in acute stroke patients. An early mobility program may help prevent muscle loss for immobilized acute stroke patients at the neuroscience intensive care unit. Key words: Stroke, Immobilization, Muscle strength, Unconsciousness, Muscle