Article

OBJECTIVES: To quantify physiotherapist-supervised and independent physical
activity undertaken from the first to the fifth day after cardiac surgery (POD1
to POD5), and to relate the amount of physical activity undertaken with hospital
stay and postoperative physiological functional capacity on POD6. METHODS:
Physiotherapist-supervised and independent physical activity were monitored in 83
adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery, using a bi-axial accelerometer and
skin sensors that measured, galvanic skin response and body temperature. Patients
completed a 6-min walk test (6MWT) on POD6. Step count and physical activity
intensity (METs; metbolic equivalents) were the main outcome measures. RESULTS:
Males exhibited significantly higher physiotherapist-supervised and independent
physical activity step counts and time >/= 3 METS (p < 0.0001). The 6MWT distance
on POD6 was greater in men (mean 393 m, standard deviation (SD) 108 m) than women
(mean 300 m, SD 121 m) (p = 0.005). Mean length of stay in hospital was 9 days
(SD 3 days) and was negatively correlated with overall physiotherapist-supervised
(R = -0.70), independent physical activity step counts (R = -0.62), and combined
physiotherapist-supervised (R = -0.65) and independent (R = -0.43) physical
activity time >/= 3 METs. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapist-supervised activity fosters
improvements in postoperative physiological functional capacity and reduces
length of stay in hospital following cardiac surgery.

Langue : ANGLAIS