Northern Ireland-led ICU recovery trial offers new hope for survivors recovering at home

A major Northern Ireland-led medical trial has identified a promising new way to help some intensive care survivors recover at home after life-threatening illness, with researchers saying remote rehabilitation could improve quality of life while easing pressure on hospitals.

The groundbreaking iRehab Trial — jointly led by researchers from Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast — has been published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) after being presented at a major international medical conference in the United States.

The study found that patients who had spent shorter periods on ventilators during intensive care treatment experienced meaningful improvements in recovery after taking part in a six-week remote rehabilitation programme delivered directly into their homes.

The findings are being seen as an important step forward in the growing use of digitally delivered healthcare, with Northern Ireland researchers playing a leading role in shaping future rehabilitation services across the UK.

Major UK-wide study led from Northern Ireland

The iRehab Trial involved 52 NHS hospitals across the UK and was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Researchers tested whether remotely delivered rehabilitation could improve outcomes for patients recovering after discharge from intensive care units (ICU), particularly those who had undergone ventilation during serious illness.

People leaving intensive care often face long-term physical and emotional challenges that can continue for months or years after treatment.

These can include:

• severe muscle weakness

• fatigue and breathlessness

• memory and concentration problems

• anxiety and poor emotional wellbeing

• difficulty returning to normal daily activities

The rehabilitation programme ran for six weeks and included weekly symptom management sessions, targeted exercise support, psychological care and peer support designed to help patients regain confidence and independence.

Researchers found the programme did not improve outcomes equally across all patient groups. However, patients who had required ventilation for less than one week showed notable improvements in health-related quality of life after taking part.

Researchers say remote rehabilitation could transform recovery support

Professor Brenda O’Neill

Professor Brenda O’Neill, Chief Investigator of the iRehab Trial at Ulster University, said the findings demonstrate both the potential of remote rehabilitation and the ability of healthcare services to deliver more digitally enabled care.

She said:

“The iRehab programme helped many people to recover after they went home from the intensive care unit. Rehabilitation for survivors of critical illness is underfunded, but findings from the iRehab trial demonstrate that fully remote processes in healthcare research and delivery are feasible from the consent stage through to intervention delivery.

“This research also highlights the strength of collaboration between Northern Ireland institutions and healthcare partners across the UK in delivering innovative, scalable healthcare solutions that can improve patient recovery and quality of life.”

The trial was managed by Warwick Clinical Trials Unit under the leadership of Professor Julie Bruce.

Professor Danny McAuley

Professor Danny McAuley, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast and Co-Chief Investigator of the trial, said the challenge now is ensuring the right patients receive the support most likely to help them recover.

“We now need to deliver this package of care for the patients who will benefit, while at the same time continuing to find better personalised treatments to improve outcomes for patients where this intervention may not work as well,” he said.

“It’s not just clinicians that need to be considered; we really need to engage with policy makers to deliver care to improve the outcomes for patients who survive critical illness.

“We could not have delivered this without the support of the National Institute for Health and Care Research.”

Digital healthcare increasingly shaping NHS recovery services

The findings come as health services across the UK continue expanding the use of digital and remote healthcare models in response to growing demand, staffing pressures and long-term rehabilitation needs.

Researchers believe scalable home-based rehabilitation programmes could become increasingly important in helping patients recover without repeated hospital visits, particularly in rural areas or for people with mobility challenges.

Professor Liam Maguire, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research at Ulster University, said the study demonstrated how Northern Ireland research is influencing healthcare delivery internationally.

“This study highlights the impact that collaborative research from Northern Ireland can have on healthcare delivery at a UK and international level,” he said.

“It is an important example of how our universities are helping to drive innovation in digitally enabled, patient-centred care.”

Professor Anthony Gordon, Director for NIHR’s Health Technology Assessment Programme, said the study highlighted how digital healthcare could improve rehabilitation while reducing disruption for patients and pressure on NHS services.

“Recovery from a critical illness can be a challenging and lengthy process for patients and their loved ones,” he said.

“This research demonstrates how using remote technology and moving from analogue to digital solutions, which is a key government priority, can make a difference to their rehabilitation and quality of life.

“The benefits the study team has identified are important. Not only can patient care be safely and effectively managed online, it also allows them to continue their recovery in familiar and comfortable surroundings.

“It ensures any disruption to their day-to-day lives is kept to a minimum, while at the same time, eases pressure on vital healthcare resources.”

Patient describes fear after ICU discharge

Julie, a patient from Middlesbrough who took part in the iRehab trial after being admitted to intensive care with sepsis, described the emotional impact of leaving hospital after critical illness.

“I was elated to be allowed home, but terrified,” she said.

“As for iRehab, it gave me the chance to make me feel better and have someone else look at my care.

“I joined whatever I could – the weekly one-to-one support, the exercise class and the community café. Staff were fabulous.

“Checking in and caring and it all went too quick. If I could support the system to give this to everyone who attended ICU I would.

“Thank you from the bottom of mine and my family’s hearts – I’m here, I’m fitter and I’m happy.”

The findings were presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in Orlando on 18 May 2026 before publication in JAMA, one of the world’s leading medical journals.

The study also underlines Northern Ireland’s growing role in medical research and digital healthcare innovation at a time when health systems are increasingly looking for scalable ways to support patients beyond traditional hospital settings.