Objective To investigate the application value of bedside wheelchair sitting activity in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods Using the simple random sampling method, 102 mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS admitted to the intensive care department were selected as the study subjects, and divided into control group and observation group, 51 cases in each group.The control group performed routine early rehabilitation exercise, and the observation group performed bedside wheelchair sitting activity.Body strength scores, incidence of adverse events, and clinical outcome of the British Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle strength score at begining of training, 1, 3 and 5 d of training, and before discharge were recorded.

Results At the beginning of training, there was no significant difference in MRC scores between the two groups (P>0.05).At 1, 3, and 5 d of training and before discharge, the MRC scores of the two groups were lower than those at the beginning of training, which were higher in the observation group than that in the control group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P>0.05).The duration of ventilation, length of ICU stay, acute physiological and chronic health evaluationⅡ score at discharge, and intensive care unit acquired weakness were all lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), and the 30 min oxygenation index was higher than the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions Bedside wheelchair sitting activity is beneficial to the maintenance of muscle strength during mechanical ventilation in ARDS patients, reduce the risk of acquired weakness, and improve clinical outcomes.