Pedal Movement - Implementing Cycling as a Mobility Option

Wake Forest University (WFU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Ileus

Treatments: Behavioral: Cycle Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06412991

IRB00111263

Details and patient eligibility

About

Cycling has been a proven exercise for decades as a low impact option to strengthen the lower body and improve cardiovascular health. There is also evidence that cycling helps to stimulate the contraction of the muscles in the intestine. Other outcomes frequently examined when considering benefits of ambulation include decreased rates of venous thromboembolic events, pneumonia, and decreased hospital length of stays. Therefore, there is added value to consider alternate mobility modalities.

Full description

Ileus is a common post operative occurrence, one that not only causes patient discomfort but also contributes to considerable economic impact and can potentially progress to other serious complications. Historically ileus has been difficult to define. Review of the literature produces a general definition to include a varying time frame upon which a patient is not tolerating an oral diet, unable to pass flatus or stool, symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and sometimes abdominal pain. Small bowel obstruction, while different pathophysiology than ileus, presents similar manifestations. Often ileus and small bowel obstruction follow the same pathway aimed at attempted resolution with attempts at conservative management. Efforts to resolve ileus and nonoperative small bowel obstruction include bowel rest, nasogastric decompression, and encouraging mobility. Many studies support the practice of mobilization through ambulation as an effort to encourage return of bowel function. What is lacking in review of the literature however are other modalities to offer the patient in efforts to assist and encourage patients to mobilize outside of ambulation.

Enrollment: 76 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 90 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Admission to NorthEast Acute Care Surgery
• Admitted on Post Surgical Care 1 unit
• Diagnosis of small bowel obstruction
• Diagnosis of ileus
• Any patient that has had intestinal surgery
• Age 18-90

Exclusion criteria

• Age < 18
• Pregnancy
• Incarceration
• Non-English speaking

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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76 participants in 2 patient groups

Cycle therapy

Experimental group

Description:

The patient will either ambulate a short distance to recumbent bike which will be stored on the postsurgical 1 unit or be assisted out of bed to use floor cycle bike. After the patient demonstrates individual competency with either cycle modality, the patient may participate in this activity with nursing staff but will not require Physical Therapy (PT) presence at the time of use. This will allow the patient to participate multiple times a day if they choose.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cycle Therapy

ambulation as mobilization modality

No Intervention group

Description:

ambulation by surgical team