Critically ill patients aged 45 years and over will be recruited during recovery after intensive care. Using a randomised controlled, blind at follow-up design the study will examine whether the combination of an amino acid supplement and an enhanced physiotherapy programme improve the rehabilitation of muscle following intensive care better than a self-guided rehabilitation programme alone or with either an amino acid supplement or the enhanced physiotherapy programme. The Primary efficacy outcome will be the improvement in six minute walking test measured at 3 months post intensive care discharge. Secondary efficacy parameters will be insulin resistance, health related quality of life and muscle mass using DEXA scanning at 3 months and 1 year post intensive care discharge.
The study will examine the effect of amino acid supplements and enhanced physiotherapy on physical recovery following critical illness in intensive care.