Objective To identify the effect of early progressive inbed mobilization on muscle strength and selfcare ability of elderly intensive care patients. Methods Eighty elderly patients in ICU were randomized into an intervention group (n=42) and a control group (n=38), receiving either routine mobilization program or an early progressive inbed mobility program. Muscle strength was evaluated using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and selfcare ability was measured using the Barthel Index （BI） before the intervention and during patient transfer from the ICU to ward. The length of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay and hospital stay were also compared between the two groups. Results The intervention group had higher MRC score and BI score compared with the control group during patient transfer from the ICU (P<0.05, P<0.01). The length of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay were significantly shorter in the intervention than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). 〖WTHZ〗Conclusion〖WTBZ〗 The early progressive inbed mobilization program contributes to improving muscle strength and selfcare ability of patients, and shorten mechanical ventilation and ICU stay.