• Hammad Sadiq, Sanjeev Rampam, Jay Patel, Sybil Crawford, Matthias Walz, and Alok Kapoor.
• UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Sep 23; 101 (38): e30689.

ObjectivesTo assess the impact of a preoperative walking intervention on improving postoperative recovery in at-risk frail older adult patients.Study TypeUnblinded, randomized controlled trial which assigned patients to intervention versus control.PopulationPatients aged 60+ scheduled for surgery 3-8 weeks from randomization scoring 4+ on the Edmonton Frail Scale.InterventionPreoperative walking enhanced by goal setting with an activity monitor and telephonic coaching.Main OutcomesQuality of Recovery 9-item instrument total score and a modified version of the Abdominal Surgery Impact Scale total score.ResultsA total of 83 patients were analyzed. Postoperative recovery scores were similar in intervention vs control - Quality of Recovery-9 item instrument total score 14.1 vs. 14.1 (P = .94) and modified Abdominal and Surgery Impact Scale total score 82.8 vs. 79.2 (P = .93). Few intervention patients met their daily step count goals. Despite this, intervention patients improved average daily step counts significantly.ConclusionsPreoperative walking bolstered with activity monitor and remote coaching did not appear to lead to improved postoperative recovery in older adults with frailty traits. Further research is necessary to see if a similar intervention in specific surgery types or a more intense version of the intervention can improve recovery.Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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