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Mobilisation – Definition, Methods & Goals

Mobilisation refers to therapeutic measures aimed at restoring or improving physical movement and function after injury, surgery, or illness.

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Things worth knowing about "Mobilisation"

Mobilisation refers to therapeutic measures aimed at restoring or improving physical movement and function after injury, surgery, or illness.

What is Mobilisation?

Mobilisation (also spelled mobilization) is a medical and therapeutic term describing all measures designed to maintain or restore a patient's physical mobility and functional capacity. It plays a vital role in rehabilitation, physiotherapy, postoperative care, and intensive care medicine. The primary goals are to overcome movement restrictions, prevent muscle loss, and promote patient independence and quality of life.

Areas of Application

Mobilisation is applied across a wide range of medical disciplines:

Postoperative mobilisation: Early movement after surgery to prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, and pressure ulcers.
Intensive care: Structured mobilisation of critically ill patients to prevent muscle wasting and ICU-acquired weakness.
Orthopaedics and trauma surgery: Restoring joint mobility after fractures, joint replacements, or ligament injuries.
Neurology: Supporting recovery of motor function after stroke or spinal cord injury.
Geriatrics: Maintaining mobility and independence in elderly patients to reduce the risk of falls.

Methods of Mobilisation

Passive Mobilisation

Passive mobilisation involves a therapist or nurse performing movements on behalf of the patient, without active participation from the patient. This is especially important for bedridden or unconscious patients to maintain joint range of motion and prevent contractures (joint stiffness).

Active-Assistive Mobilisation

In active-assistive mobilisation, the therapist supports the patient during movement. The patient contributes their own strength while receiving guided assistance where their capacity is limited.

Active Mobilisation

Active mobilisation is performed independently by the patient under the guidance of a therapist. This is considered the gold standard in rehabilitation and supports muscle strengthening, coordination, and endurance.

Manual Mobilisation

Manual mobilisation is a specific physiotherapeutic technique involving targeted hands-on manoeuvres to restore restricted joint mobility. It is commonly used for back pain, neck problems, and joint restrictions.

Goals and Benefits of Mobilisation

Early and consistent mobilisation offers numerous clinical benefits:

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Reduction of pressure ulcer risk (decubitus ulcers)
Preservation and rebuilding of muscle mass
Improved cardiovascular function
Enhanced respiratory capacity and pneumonia prevention
Improved psychological wellbeing and quality of life
Shorter hospital stays and faster recovery

Risks and Contraindications

Although mobilisation is generally beneficial, there are situations where it must be limited or avoided entirely. These include:

Acute, unstabilised fractures
Severe cardiovascular instability
Active local infection or acute inflammation in the affected area
Fresh thrombosis (risk of embolism if disturbed)
Certain stages of bone metastases or tumour involvement

Mobilisation should always be carried out under medical supervision and in coordination with the treating team. Individualised adaptation to the patient's condition is essential for therapeutic success.

Mobilisation in Nursing Care

In nursing, mobilisation encompasses all measures that help maintain or improve the mobility of care-dependent individuals. Nursing staff receive specialised training in safe repositioning, patient transfers, and assisted ambulation. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walking frames, patient lifts, and positioning aids play an important role in safe and effective mobilisation practice.

References

Needham, D. M. - Mobilizing patients in the intensive care unit: improving neuromuscular weakness and physical function, in: JAMA 300(14), 2009, pp. 1685–1690.
World Health Organization (WHO) - Rehabilitation 2030: A Call for Action (2017). Available at: https://www.who.int/initiatives/rehabilitation-2030
Stiller, K. - Physiotherapy in intensive care: an updated systematic review, in: Chest 144(3), 2013, pp. 825–847.

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