Effect of Exercise on Functional Independence after Abdominal Surgery in the Elderly

Background

Aging is associated with increased prevalence of multiple diseases, with decline of the functional reserve of many organs and systems and a progressive restriction in personal and social resources. Therefore this designed to clarify the effect of exercise on recovery.

Methods and design

A prospective cohort of 174 consecutive patients recruited from General surgery department of El-Mataria Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, with 68.2±5.3 years (60 to 75 years), underwent open abdominal surgery, they were randomly divided into; Mobilizing Group (MG= 80); Nonmobilized group (NMG=75). After surgery MG participated in mobility program; range of motion exercise, sitting out of bed, trunk flexibility exercises, upper limb elevation exercise using bottles and walking exercise. Non-mobilized group (NMG=75) instructed to keep their activity level without changes. The primary assessment includes; Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), Functional reach test (FRT) and hand grip strength. There were no significant difference in TUGT, FRT, and grip strength between MG and NMG group preoperatively and at 1 and 3 weeks, postoperatively with significant decline in functional recovery.

Results and conclusion

There were significant differences at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months postoperatively with greater improvement in functional recovery to preoperative level for mobilizing group. Surgical treatment can be offered to elderly patients 60 years old but with predictable decline in functional independence. Collaboration between surgeon and physiotherapist for establishing an effective rehabilitation program may be helpful for restoring their function independence.