Directly after transfer to a general ward the early rehabilitation group started with an early rehabilitation program, as ordered by an experienced physiatrist. The early rehabilitation program consisted of a coordinated exercise therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation, for two hours and five days a week until discharge from the acute hospital. Exercise therapy included strength training (three days/week, one to three sets of 12-15 repetitions, 8-10 exercises involving the major muscle groups: thighs, calves, buttocks, trunk, shoulder girdle), aerobic exercise (large muscle activities five days/week, 10-30 min/session, 50-80% maximal heart rate) and active breathing techniques. Exercise equipment being used: Resistance bands, free weights, weight machines, shoulder pulleys, stationary and bedside cycle ergometers, and wobble boards. Progression of activities was dependent on patient tolerance and stability. For neuromuscular electrical stimulation we applied Compex-P© devices producing biphasic symmetric impulses with a frequency of 50 Hz and a pulse width of 0.35 ms (stimulus regime: 8 s on/24 s off) five days/week, 30 min/session involving the anterior thighs and buttocks. The usual care group received single physical therapy sessions as ordered by the primary care team after transfer from the ICU to the general ward (exercise therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation).