Clinical Impact of Preoperative Physiotherapy on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications of Oncological Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Preoperative physiotherapy in cancer patients plays a fundamental role in reducing postoperative complications. It is known that the preoperative assessment identifies risk factors and is critical in reducing the development of such complications. Objective: Identify the effect of preoperative kinesiotherapy and inspiratory muscle training on postoperative pulmonary complications in cancer patients. Method: Thirty patients were randomly divided into a kinesiotherapy group, inspiratory muscle training group and control group, with 10 participants in each group. Respiratory muscle strength assessment, 6-minute walk test and peripheral muscle strength were performed. The Wilcoxon test was used for comparison before and after treatment. The Kruskal Wallis test was also performed to compare the post-treatment result and the Chi-square test for categorical variables. The Cohen test (d) was also performed to identify the effect size. Results: Nine (90%) individuals in the control group had complications, while in the kinesiotherapy and inspiratory muscle training groups, complications were observed in two (20%) and three (30%) patients, respectively. Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) in inspiratory muscle training and MIP in the kinesiotherapy group demonstrated clinical impact When compared to the control group. Conclusion: Kinesiotherapy and inspiratory muscle training impacted the reduction of postoperative complications of oncology surgeries.