Changes in the amount of physical activity in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.
Masaharu Nakajima, Toshinori Totsugawa, Taichi Sakaguchi and 5 others
PMID 29200652WHAT IT FOUND
Patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery increased their daily steps by 39.3% before discharge, while those with conventional sternotomy saw a 34.3% decrease.
This suggests smaller incisions may help maintain activity levels during hospitalization.
Key findings
01The rate of change in daily steps was significantly higher in the minimally invasive group (39.3%) compared to the conventional group (-34.3%).
02Patients in the minimally invasive group achieved higher postoperative daily step counts than their preoperative baseline, whereas conventional surgery patients did not.
03Time to achieve 100-meter independent walking was significantly earlier in the minimally invasive group (3.6 days) than in the conventional group (5.7 days).
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study had a very small sample size (22 patients), which limits the reliability of the findings. There were significant baseline differences between the groups: the MICS group was younger and healthier (better cardiac and renal function) than the conventional group, introducing potential selection bias. The groups were not randomized; patients were categorized based on the surgical procedure they received. The study measured activity only during hospitalization, so it does not show long-term differences in physical activity after discharge.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper. The study was approved by the ethical review board of The Sakakibara Heart Institute of Okayama.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that minimally invasive surgery alone causes the increase in physical activity. The MICS group was significantly younger and healthier at baseline than the conventional group, so these pre-existing differences may have contributed to their better recovery and higher activity levels.