Walking After Cancer Surgery Reduces Readmissions

February 7th, 2018

Up to half the people who undergo complex cancer surgery find themselves back in the hospital within 30 days of discharge, but a simple activity may be able to reduce the number of readmissions. Recent research from the University of Pittsburgh’s Carissa Low, PhD, shows that walking after cancer surgery can significantly reduce the chance that a cancer patient will have to return to the hospital.

Researchers provided wearable activity monitors called Fitbits to 71 hospitalized participants who had surgery for stage 4 peritoneal cancer, a type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdominal cavity and covers abdominal organs. At the end of the hospital stay researchers averaged each participant’s daily step count, and after 60 days, information about hospital readmissions was collected from the medical record. Researchers found that for each 100 additional steps taken while still in the hospital, participants cut their 30-day readmission rates by 17% and 60-day readmission rates by 18%.

While previous research has shown that walking after surgery can benefit patients, the current study is the first to examine the link between walking and readmission rates. According to the study authors, using wearable monitors like Fitbits can help patients by providing an easy way to track activity, and help healthcare providers by identifying and closely monitoring patients who might be at high risk for future complications and readmissions.

Learn about other research study opportunities on our Pitt+Me cancer studies page.