Effects of an Early Promoting Mobility Program on Postoperative Recovery Outcomes in People with Critical Illness after Major Abdominal Surgery: A Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract

Delayed early mobilization after major abdominal surgery in people with critical illness has a considerable impact on recovery outcomes and the incidence of complications. This quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of an early promoting mobility program, grounded in the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) framework, on postoperative recovery outcomes. Forty participants undergoing major abdominal surgery were purposively recruited from a tertiary hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. They were matched by age and the specif ic type of surgical procedure and then assigned to the experimental group (n = 20), which received the intervention program within the f rst f ve to seven days after surgery in addition to usual care. The control group (n = 20) received only usual care. The data collection instruments included the Demographic Form, Bowel Function Recovery Assessment, Pulmonary Function Test, Postoperative Pulmonary Complications Assessment, Postoperative Time Out of Bed, and Quality of Recovery-40 Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test statistics, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests. The results showed that, upon completing the program, the experimental group had signif icantly better pulmonary function than the control group. However, no signif icant differences were observed in other outcome variables. These f indings suggest that while the program effectively enhances lung function, it may have a limited impact on different aspects of recovery. Further investigation is needed to better understand its full impact. An additional study employing randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes is necessary to evaluate the program’s effectiveness across a broader range of outcomes. Additionally, incorporating this program into routine intensive care unit practice and assessing its feasibility in real-world clinical settings by nurses and other healthcare professionals will be crucial for successful implementation.