Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências E Educação · Nov 3, 2026
Loss of muscle mass after ICU admission: An experience report on the impact on the critically ill patient's recovery and the efficacy of nutritional strategies
By Rocha ALE, borges MLN
INTRODUCTION: Admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) results in severe loss of muscle mass and persistent functional disability. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of critical illness on the musculature and functional status of ICU survivors, integrating a multidisciplinary experience report with the findings of a systematic review of nutritional and rehabilitation strategies. METHODS: A mixed-methods study that correlated clinical care practice with a systematic review of 12 primary articles (selected from 33 screened), assessed using the RoB 2, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and GRADE tools. RESULTS: Muscle atrophy occurs hyperacutely in the first 7 to 10 days in the ICU (10% to 30%), accompanied by a high prevalence of myosteatosis (83.7%) and ICU-acquired weakness. High protein provision (1.5 to 2.2 g/kg/day) and supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), whey protein and amino acids attenuated proteolysis and reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation. However, functional recovery depended on the obligatory synergy between high-protein intake and active physical exercise (cycle ergometry). CONCLUSIONS: Reversing secondary sarcopenia and restoring physical autonomy in ICU survivors require the implementation of integrated care protocols for high-protein nutritional therapy and early motor rehabilitation.