Exercise And Nutrition Can Help Improve Recovery From Surgery
A recent review of previously published studies by Canadian researchers examined the impact of prehabilitation — preparing for surgery through exercise, nutrition, and other support methods — on adults undergoing major surgery. The reviewers analyzed 186 clinical trials involving 15,684 participants and found that prehabilitation was associated with fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and improved recovery and quality of life.
The researchers noted that certainty of evidence for comparisons was low or even very low due to bias and high levels of variation between studies. However, they were able to see benefits to prehabilitation. Combining exercise and nutritional support reduced hospital stays by 1.22 days. Additionally, combining exercise with psychosocial support resulted in 2.44 fewer days spent in the hospital, and prehabilitation overall, especially exercise and nutrition, was found to improve recovery outcomes and health-related quality of life.
Although more research is needed, the review suggests that prehabilitation — particularly exercise and nutrition — could be beneficial and should be considered for patients preparing for surgery.
Try this recipe today: Quinoa Fried Rice
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