Introduction:
Early mobilization (EM) in the intensive care unit (ICU) improves clinical outcomes. Despite the positive evidence, the implementation of EM is low in many countries. However, little is known about the practice of EM in ICU by physiotherapists in West Malaysia. Hence, this study was planned to assess the practice of physiotherapist-initiated EM in respiratory ICUs of selected West Malaysian hospitals.

Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted by using a self-administered questionnaire. The participants were registered physiotherapists with a minimum of 2 years working experience in respiratory ICUs, recruited from private or government hospitals with the convenience sampling method.

Results:
Overall, 102 complete responses out of 200 were received. Most respondents stated that they practised EM in ICU, while 73.53% claimed that they mobilized patients with ventilator support. The majority indicated that they used a standard protocol to select patients for EM. The most common factors that influenced the physiotherapists’ clinical decision to perform EM were patient’s medical stability and safety concerns about EM.

Conclusions:
Most physiotherapists in the selected West Malaysian hospitals stated that they practised EM in ICU. However, studies are required to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of the EM performed by physiotherapists in Malaysia.