Early versus delayed mobilization after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety

OBJECTIVE A central tenet of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is evidence-based medicine. Survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) constitute a fragile patient population prone to prolonged hospitalization within neurointensive care units (NICUs), prolonged immobilization, and a range of nosocomial adverse events. Potentially, well-monitored early mobilization (EM) could constitute a beneficial element of ERAS protocols in this population. Therefore, the objective was to summarize the available evidence on EM strategies in patients with aSAH. METHODS The authors retrieved prospective and retrospective studies that reported efficacy or safety data on EM (defined as EM in the NICU starting ≤ 7 days after ictus) versus delayed mobilization (DM) (any strategy that comparatively delayed mobilization) after aSAH and were published after January 1, 2000, in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS Ten studies analyzing 1292 patients were included for quantitative synthesis, including 1 randomized, 1 prospective nonrandomized, and 8 retrospective studies. Modified Rankin Scale scores at discharge were not different between the EM and DM groups (mean difference [MD] [95% CI] −0.86 [−2.93 to 1.20] points, p = 0.41). Hospital length of stay in days was markedly reduced in the EM group (MD [95% CI] −6.56 [−10.64 to −2.47] days, p = 0.002). Although there was a statistically significant reduction in radiological vasospasms (OR [95% CI] 0.65 [0.44–0.97], p = 0.03), the reduction in clinically relevant vasospasms was nonsignificant (OR [95% CI] 0.63 [0.31–1.26], p = 0.19). The odds of shunting were significantly lower in the EM group (OR [95% CI] 0.61 [0.39–0.95], p = 0.03). The rates of mortality, pneumonia, and thrombosis were similar among groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Due to a lack of high-quality studies, vastly varying protocols, and resulting statistical clinical and statistical heterogeneity, the level of evidence for recommendations regarding EM in patients with aSAH remains low. The currently available data indicated that mobilization within the first 5 days after aneurysm repair was feasible and safe without significant excessive adverse events, that neurological outcome with EM was almost certainly not worse than with prolonged immobilization, and that there was likely at least some reduction in length of hospital stay. Radiological and clinical vasospasms were not more frequent—with signals even trending toward a decrease—in patients who mobilized early. Higher-quality studies and implementation of full ERAS protocols are necessary to evaluate efficacy and safety with a higher level of evidence and to guide practical implementation through increased standardization. Clinical trial registration no.: CRD42023432828 ( www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero )