Comparison of early mobilization protocols on postoperative cognitive dysfunction, pain, and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Although coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery improves the life expectancy of patients with coronary artery disease, it is associated with various short and long-term complications. Early mobilization has been shown to reduce the risk of these complications. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different early mobilization protocols on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), pain intensity, and length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients undergoing CABG. This three-arm parallel randomized controlled trial included 120 patients undergoing CABG surgery who were randomly assigned to Intervention A, which received a four-phase early mobilization protocol; Intervention B, which received a three-phase early mobilization protocol; and the Control group, which received routine care. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction and pain were assessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. Groups were comparable in demographic and clinical characteristics and postoperative cognitive dysfunction at baseline. After the intervention, Group B had statistically significantly (p < 0.001) less cognitive dysfunction (25.8 ± 1.7) compared to Group A (24.1 ± 2.2) and the Control Group (23.4 ± 2.7). Likewise, hospital stay was statistically (p < 0.01) shorter for Group B (7.7 ± 1.5) than the Control group (8.9 ± 1.9). However, the experience of pain was statistically significantly lower over time in Group A than in the other groups (p < 0.001). This study concludes that an early mobilization protocol based on deep breathing exercises and chest physiotherapy may better improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction and length of hospital stay than an early mobilization protocol based on passive and active range of motion activities or routine care.