Table 1.

Guidelines for ICU rehabilitation.

Contraindications	Possible Rehabilitation Activities
	Physical therapy	Occupational therapy
Ongoing coronary ischemia Unstable arrhythmia Cardiac tamponade	Passive range of Motion	Feeding Grooming Dressing
Respiratory distress
Hypoxemia at rest (SpO2 <88%)	Exercises in bed
Respiratory rate < 5 or > 40 per minute	Transfers
Heart rate < 40 or > 130 beats per minute	(supine to sitting,
Mean arterial pressure < 55 mmHg	sitting to standing,
Systolic blood pressure > 200 mmHg	bed to chair)
Unsecure airway	Ambulating in place
Hypoglycemia (blood glucose < 50 mg/dL)	Ambulation
Orthopedic contraindication
Unstable spinal cord injury
Intracranial hypertension
Morbid obesity (if unable to be managed safely)
Care focused on comfort measures only

ICU: Intensive care unit.