Influence of the Initial Level of Consciousness on Early, Goal-directed Mobilization

Inclusion Criteria: * aged 18 years or older * mechanically ventilated for less than 48 h and expected to require mechanical ventilation for at least another 24 h at the time of screening * functionally independent at baseline with a Barthel Index Score of at least 70 at 2 weeks before admission to the ICU based on patient or proxy completion of the measure Exclusion Criteria: * admitted to hospital for more than 5 days before screening * a motor component of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) lower than 5 * irreversible disorder with a 6-month mortality of greater than 50%, * raised intracranial pressure * cardiopulmonary arrest * unstable fractures contributing to probable immobility * inclusion in another trial at the same time * acute myocardial infarction * do not have lower part of their legs * have a rapidly developing neuromuscluar disease * pregnant * ruptured or leaking aortic aneurysm