IMPACT OF EARLY MOBILIZATION ON POSTOPERATIVE OUTCOMES IN CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENTS A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background: Cardiac surgery is frequently associated with prolonged recovery, postoperative complications, and extended hospitalization. Early postoperative mobilization has emerged as a promising intervention to improve functional outcomes and reduce hospital stay, yet evidence in cardiac surgical patients remains limited and inconsistent. Objective: To determine whether early postoperative mobilization improves recovery time, reduces complications, and shortens hospital stay in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted over 12 months at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore. A total of 132 adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomized into two groups: early mobilization (n=66) and standard care (n=66). The intervention group-initiated mobilization within 24 hours post-surgery. Primary outcomes included recovery time to functional independence (Modified Barthel Index ≥90), incidence of postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay. Statistical analyses were performed using independent-samples t-tests and chi-square tests; p-values <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Patients in the early mobilization group achieved functional recovery faster (5.2 ± 1.1 days) compared to the standard care group (7.9 ± 1.5 days; p=0.001). Pulmonary infection and delirium were significantly less frequent in the early mobilization group (6.1% and 4.5%, respectively) than in the control group (15.2% and 13.6%; p=0.048 and p=0.041). Mean hospital stay was also reduced (8.4 ± 2.0 vs. 11.2 ± 2.6 days; p=0.001). Conclusion: Early mobilization significantly enhances postoperative recovery, lowers complication rates, and reduces hospitalization duration in cardiac surgery patients, supporting its integration into routine postoperative care protocols.