title: Ambulation of hospitalized gynecologic surgical patients: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate whether specific ambulation goals affect the adequacy or perceived barriers to ambulation in hospitalized surgical patients after major gynecologic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty-six surgical inpatients were randomized to specific ambulation goals or routine care. We assessed the number of pedometer-recorded steps in the 24 hours preceding discharge as well as patient-identified barriers to ambulation. Groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 129 participants with outcome data, 12% were discharged without any pedometer-recorded steps. We did not detect an effect of specific ambulation goals by group (routine care: 87 compared with ambulation goals: 80, P=.7). The three main barriers to ambulation from a patient perspective were indwelling catheters (38.5%), intravenous poles (28%), and pain (12.5%) The median number of postoperative steps was higher after minimally invasive surgery (143) compared with laparotomy (27) (P=.035).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approximately 12% of gynecologic surgical patients do not walk while hospitalized despite formal encouragement to ambulate. Ambulation is easily quantified and may improve with attention to modifiable barriers, potentially improving postoperative recovery.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois.
authors: Maike
authors: M
authors: Liebermann
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Awad
authors: Megan
authors: M
authors: Dejong
authors: Colleen
authors: C
authors: Rivard
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Sinacore
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Brubaker
mesh_terms: D004434:Early Ambulation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011182:Postoperative Care
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