Preoperative exercise therapy in surgical care: a scoping review

Sjaak Pouwels, David Hageman, Lindy N.M. Gommans, Edith M. Willigendael, Simon W. Nienhuijs, Marc R. Scheltinga, Joep A.W. Teijink

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Several systematic reviews have focused on the role of preoperative exercise therapy (PET) in various fields of surgical care. Aims of the present scoping review are to summarize research findings and to identify gaps in existing literature.

METHODS: Two authors independently conducted a comprehensive literature search on systematic reviews regarding PET. The risk of bias was assessed using "the methodology checklist for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)." Findings of the included systematic reviews were summarized according to type of surgery and type of PET.

RESULTS: Twenty-one reviews on PET with a low risk of bias were included. Seven reviews investigated PET in multiple surgical fields and 14 in just a single surgical field. PET was studied before cardiac surgery (n = 9), orthopedic surgery (n = 8), abdominal surgery (n = 8), thoracic surgery (n = 8), vascular surgery (n = 3), and urologic surgery (n = 1).

CONCLUSION: Overall, it seems that PET exerts beneficial effects on physical fitness and postoperative outcome measures. Gaps in current literature are the heterogeneity in selected patient populations and outcome measures as well as lack of guidelines on the specific PET regimes. Therefore, there is increasing need for multicenter randomized trials with specifically designed PET programs and a carefully selected patient population to strengthen current evidence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)476-490
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Clinical Anesthesia
Volume33
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2016
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Exercise Therapy/methods
  • Humans
  • Physical Fitness
  • Preoperative Care/methods
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative

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