After undergoing surgery, some patients are reluctant to walk, despite the encouragement of medical staff, even though the benefits of doing so are well-documented.

In order to determine whether a program that encourages patients to walk had a positive effect, researchers from Loyola University Health System conducted a study, involving 146 patients, who underwent gynecologic surgery who either had routine care with no encouragement to walk, or a goal-oriented walking program following surgery.

Findings from the study were presented at the prestigious 38th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons in Baltimore.

The researchers found that patients who received care without encouragement took a median of 87 steps, patients who received encouragement took 80 steps, and 12% of patients did not walk at all.

Maike Liebermann, M.D., co-researcher, LUHS, explained:

“There are many obstacles that can prevent a patient from moving after surgery. If a patient cannot walk, this can increase the risk of complications and prolong recovery time and length of hospital stay.”

Catheters or drains, pain, IVs, hospital gowns, and lack of assistance are all obstacles to walking. The researchers found that pain management, as well as early discontinuation of catheters and IV fluids have the potential to increase walking and overall outcomes for patients after surgery, although more research is required.

The researchers measured the amount of steps taken, using a pedometer, in the 24 hours before a patient was discharged from the hospital. Patients assigned to a goal-oriented walking program after surgery were encouraged to take at least 500 steps prior to discharge.

Michael Awad, M.D., co-researcher of the study, LUHS, explained:

“This was the first study to measure walking after surgery in gynecologic patients. It demonstrated an easy way for doctors to evaluate a patient’s ability to walk and decide if the patient is ready to go home from the hospital.”

The majority of patients are required to walk after surgery and prior to hospital discharge, although there is no guidelines to determine the adequate amount of walking after surgery.

The researchers conclude that additional studies need to be conducted in order to establish standards for walking after gynecologic surgery and that one consideration may be to treat walking as a vital sign so that it is regularly reported.

Additional authors included Megan DeJong, MD; Colleen Rivard, MD; Jim Sinacore, PhD; and Linda Brubaker, MD, MS.

Written By Grace Rattue