Key result
A 12-week preoperative exercise program significantly improved the six-minute walk test distance by a mean of 32.24 meters compared to standard care in patients awaiting bariatric surgery.
Why the study?
Evidence supports the link between exercise and bariatric surgery outcomes, but short-term benefits of preoperative exercise remain poorly understood.
Does a 12-week preoperative supervised exercise program improve 6-minute walk test distance and quality of life in adult patients awaiting bariatric surgery?
RCT (n=54)
Open-label
1:1 randomization in blocks of 10
No
Does a 12-week preoperative supervised exercise program improve 6-minute walk test distance and quality of life in adult patients awaiting bariatric surgery?
Effect estimate: 32.24 meters difference
Absolute Event Rate: 27.46% vs -4.88%
p-value: p=0.03
A 12-week preoperative supervised exercise program is feasible and significantly improves 6-minute walk test distance and quality of life in patients awaiting bariatric surgery.
Supports preoperative exercise for bariatric candidates; extends RCT evidence on functional capacity gains.
Background Evidence supports the association between exercise and outcomes following bariatric surgery. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the short-term benefits of preoperative exercise. Objectives The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and functional benefits of a 12-week preoperative exercise program in patients awaiting bariatric surgery. The primary aim was the six-minute walk test (6MWT). The secondary aim of this study included anthropometric measures, strength, and quality of life. Methods A total of 54 patients were enrolled in this pilot randomized controlled study. Of them, 29 patients received standard multidisciplinary preoperative care, while 25 patients participated in a 12-week supervised exercise program in addition to standard preoperative care consisting of strength and aerobic exercises three times per week in a fitness facility. The primary outcome was improvement in 6MWT. Secondary outcomes included other functional outcomes, quality of life, and anthropometric measures. Results Average attendance for the intervention group was 27.2 (75.6%) of 36 sessions. There was a mean improvement of 27 ± 10 meters in the intervention group compared with a reduction of 5 ± 10 meters in the control group (p = 0.003). Patients in the intervention group had significant improvement in all self-reported quality-of-life domains, particularly in the variables related to symptoms, hygiene, and emotions. Conclusions A 12-week preoperative exercise intervention was feasible and showed association with a statistically significant improvement in 6MWT and quality-of-life measures in patients awaiting bariatric surgery. The results of this study will inform sample size calculations and recruitment planning for a future study that will assess the longer-term benefits of a pre-surgical fitness intervention.
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Hardy et al. (2022) conducted an RCT in Obesity (awaiting bariatric surgery) (n=54). Preoperative exercise program vs. Standard multidisciplinary preoperative care was evaluated on Change in six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance (32.24 meters difference, p=0.03). A 12-week preoperative exercise program significantly improved the six-minute walk test distance by a mean of 32.24 meters compared to standard care in patients awaiting bariatric surgery.
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