Abstract
Background: The clinical relevance of inpatient step counts after lung surgery remains unknown.
Objective: The aim of this study was to identify those factors related to physical activity measured by step count, during the inpatient stay, and its relationship with symptom severity and perceived health status at hospital admission, discharge, and 1 month after discharge.
Methods: We studied the inpatient step count of 73 participants who underwent lung resection surgery. The number of steps was measured using a triaxial accelerometer. The health status and the severity of symptoms were examined at hospital admission, discharge, and 1 month after discharge.
Results: Of the 73 participants, 35 were active and 38 were sedentary during the hospitalization. The mean number of steps walked during 3 inpatient days was 6689 +/- 3261 and 523 +/- 2273 (P < .001) for the active and sedentary groups, respectively. The dyspnea and fatigue scores in the sedentary group across data collection points (hospital admission, discharge, and follow-up) were significantly worse (P < .01). In regard to pain, the sedentary group presented worse results, than the active group, at discharge and follow-up (P < .01). The correlation analysis indicated significant but weak correlations (r < 0.500) between inpatient steps per day and symptom severity at 1-month follow-up (T2) after surgery.
Conclusion: Inpatient step count may be a risk factor for symptom severity and perceived health status during hospitalization and within the first month after lung resection surgery.
Implications for Practice: Nurses should consider recommending physical activity during hospitalization for patients after lung resection.