Text messaging improves preoperative exercise in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Area of Science:

• Bariatric Surgery
• Digital Health Interventions
• Patient Adherence

Background:

• Preoperative exercise is crucial for patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).
• Adherence to preoperative exercise recommendations can be challenging for patients with morbid obesity.
• Optimizing preoperative exercise may improve surgical outcomes and recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a daily text message intervention in improving adherence to preoperative exercise advice.
• To determine if improved exercise adherence impacts surgical recovery metrics.
• To assess the effect of a mobile health intervention on bariatric surgery preparation.

Main Methods:

• A single-blinded, parallel-design randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 88 patients undergoing LSG.
• Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive daily text messages (intervention group) or standard care (control group).
• Primary outcome: adherence to preoperative exercise (≥450 METmin/week), assessed via self-report and activity monitoring.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed significant increases in exercise adherence and activity from baseline, unlike the control group.
• Significantly higher adherence rates were observed in the text message group at the end of the intervention.
• Despite improved exercise adherence, no significant differences were found in the 6-minute walk test or other measures of surgical recovery.

Conclusions:

• A daily text message intervention effectively enhances adherence to preoperative exercise recommendations for LSG patients.
• Improved preoperative exercise adherence, achieved through text messaging, does not appear to directly improve surgical recovery or functional capacity.
• Further research is needed to explore interventions that bridge the gap between exercise adherence and improved surgical outcomes.