Boden I, Skinner EH, Browning L et al.
British Medical Journal 2017, 360:j5916
Aim of Study
To determine whether a single preoperative physiotherapy coaching and education session prior to upper abdominal surgery reduces the risk of operative pulmonary complications.
Design and Location
Prospective, pragmatic, multicentre, patient and assessor blinded, randomised controlled superiority trial, in preassessment clinics at three tertiary hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.
Methodology
Random assignment during routine preassessment clinics to either control group (information booklet about post operative respiratory complications and breathing exercises to reduce them) or intervention (booklet, followed by one-on-one education session and breathing exercise coaching)
Primary Outcome
Post-operative pulmonary complications (PCPs) as per the Melbourne Group Score within 14 days
Secondary Outcomes
Pneumonia, length of stay, time to ambulation, HDU/ICU admission and length of stay, costs, self-reported quality of life assessments (SF-36 at 6 weeks), readmissions, mortality.
Statistics
Backwards stepwise regression for baseline covariates, post hoc sensitivity analyisis for effect of covariates, powered to detect difference 10% absolute risk reduction from 20% baseline risk.
Results
Incidence of PCPs within 14 days was halved, adjusted hazard ratio 0.48, 95% CI 0.30-0.70, P = 0.001), with absolute risk reduction 15%, (95% CI 7%-22%), NNT 7 (95% CI 5 to 14). No differences in other secondary outcomes.
Conclusions/Discussions
Strong evidence for a single preoperative physiotherapy session reducing risk of PCPs, and recall of specific breathing exercises and rationale recalled by 94% vs 15% in control group.
Stated Limitations from the Study
Not adequately powered to detect any ongoing trends such as length of stay in mortality though trend towards this.
Discussion from Journal Club Meeting (?Change of Practice)
Robust paper, however despite showing reduction in PCPs, what real world impact does this have as no secondary outcomes were reduced. Perhaps larger studies would be able to demonstrate this. There would perhaps be more economical ways to implement this perhaps with video training in larger groups.
Summary by Dr A Beverly. Journal Club 15 February 2018.
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