Preoperative walking intervention did not appear to improve patient-reported postoperative recovery in older adults with frailty traits: Randomized trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine if a preoperative walking intervention enhanced with goal setting and telephonic coaching could improve postoperative recovery in frail older adults.
Results Summary
The study found no significant difference in postoperative recovery scores between the intervention and control groups, despite intervention patients increasing their average daily step counts. The walking intervention did not lead to improved recovery outcomes in this population.
Population
Frail older adults aged 60+ scheduled for surgery within 3-8 weeks, scoring 4+ on the Edmonton Frail Scale.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Preoperative period (3-8 weeks before surgery)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preoperative walking enhanced by goal setting with an activity monitor and telephonic coaching | no change | postoperative recovery | older adults with frailty traits | - | did not appear to lead to improved | #1 |
Preoperative walking enhanced by goal setting with an activity monitor and telephonic coaching | no change | Quality of Recovery-9 item instrument total score | at-risk frail older adult patients aged 60+ scheduled for surgery 3-8 weeks from randomization scoring 4+ on the Edmonton Frail Scale | 14.1 vs. 14.1 | were similar | #2 |
Preoperative walking enhanced by goal setting with an activity monitor and telephonic coaching | no change | modified Abdominal and Surgery Impact Scale total score | at-risk frail older adult patients aged 60+ scheduled for surgery 3-8 weeks from randomization scoring 4+ on the Edmonton Frail Scale | 82.8 vs. 79.2 | were similar | #3 |
Preoperative walking enhanced by goal setting with an activity monitor and telephonic coaching | no change | daily step count goals | intervention patients | - | Few intervention patients met | #4 |
Preoperative walking enhanced by goal setting with an activity monitor and telephonic coaching | increase | average daily step counts | intervention patients | - | improved significantly | #5 |
OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a preoperative walking intervention on improving postoperative recovery in at-risk frail older adult patients. STUDY TYPE: Unblinded, randomized controlled trial which assigned patients to intervention versus control. POPULATION: Patients aged 60+ scheduled for surgery 3-8 weeks from randomization scoring 4+ on the Edmonton Frail Scale. INTERVENTION: Preoperative walking enhanced by goal setting with an activity monitor and telephonic coaching. MAIN OUTCOMES: Quality of Recovery 9-item instrument total score and a modified version of the Abdominal Surgery Impact Scale total score. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were analyzed. Postoperative recovery scores were similar in intervention vs control - Quality of Recovery-9 item instrument total score 14.1 vs. 14.1 (P = .94) and modified Abdominal and Surgery Impact Scale total score 82.8 vs. 79.2 (P = .93). Few intervention patients met their daily step count goals. Despite this, intervention patients improved average daily step counts significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative walking bolstered with activity monitor and remote coaching did not appear to lead to improved postoperative recovery in older adults with frailty traits. Further research is necessary to see if a similar intervention in specific surgery types or a more intense version of the intervention can improve recovery.