Clinical trials

Patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) frequently develop ICU-acquired weakness - a condition marked by widespread muscle loss and weakness caused by prolonged bed rest, severe illness, and systemic inflammation. This complication can lengthen time on the ventilator, extend ICU stays, and lead to lasting physical disability. Standard rehabilitation therapies in the ICU have limited ability to slow muscle loss because critically ill patients cannot tolerate high levels of exercise. Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is a rehabilitation technique that uses an inflatable cuff on the upper leg to partially restrict blood flow during low-intensity exercise. This approach is known to stimulate muscle growth and preserve strength with much lower physical effort than traditional strength training, making it a promising option for vulnerable ICU patients. This randomized controlled trial is designed to test the safety and effectiveness of BFRT in mechanically ventilated adults with ICU-acquired weakness. A total of 120 eligible patients will be randomly divided into three groups: A control group receiving standard ICU medical care and routine rehabilitation A group receiving standard care plus BFRT at 40% of individual limb occlusion pressure A group receiving standard care plus BFRT at 60% of individual limb occlusion pressure All patients will receive 2 weeks of intervention. The research team will measure and compare muscle strength, lower limb muscle size (via ultrasound), blood inflammatory markers, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and ventilator weaning success rates across the three groups. This study aims to determine whether adding BFRT to standard rehabilitation can improve muscle function, reduce systemic inflammation, and shorten hospital recovery time for these patients, and which pressure level provides the optimal balance of benefits and safety.