The effects of abdominal-based early progressive mobilisation on gastric motility in endotracheally intubated intensive care patients: A randomised controlled trial

To examine whether an abdominal-based early progressive mobilisation program improves gastric motility and reduces feeding intolerance in critically ill patients with endotracheal intubation. A randomised controlled trial was designed. Adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit who were intubated and had an order for enteral nutrition were randomly assigned to partake in an three stages of abdominal-based progressive mobilisation program (passive abdominal massage, bed-side bicycle and ambulating) or standard of care. Gastric antral motility was measured by bedside ultrasound. A total of 83 critically ill patients were included in the study. The intervention group displayed a statistically significant improvement in the antral motility index than the control group (p