Effect of chest physical therapy with early mobilization on post-operative pulmonary complications in upper abdominal surgeries

Objective: To determine the effect of early postoperative mobilization combined with chest physical therapy in preventing post-op pulmonary complications after upper abdominal surgeries. Methodology: This randomized control trial was conducted in Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan from August 2016 to February 2017. Study consisted sample of 30 patients, between the ages of 11-60 years undergoing upper abdominal surgeries who were selected via non-probability purposive sampling technique. They were randomized via coin toss method into interventional group (n=15) receiving early mobilization with breathing exercises and spirometery and control group (n=15) receiving mobilization after 6 hours of surgery. Data was collected for arterial blood gases, pain via numeric pain rating scale and quality of life through SF-36 questionnaire. Mann -Whitney u test was used for between group analyses. Results: Mean age of patients was 46.83±13.49 years; 3.34% were males and 96.6% females. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed between groups on heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SPO2) but there was better improvement in interventional group compared to control group. Significant difference (P