A systematic review of physical activity-based interventions to prevent or reduce chronic post-surgical pain

One potential risk after surgery is the development of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP). Physical activity (PA) has emerged as a potential non-pharmacological approach for reducing the risk of CPSP. This systematic review synthesized and evaluated the current scientific evidence on the use of PA-based interventions for the prevention or reduction of CPSP.

We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials published from inception through October 2025. Inclusion criteria were surgical patients who completed a pain assessment ≥3 months post-surgery, comparing PA interventions with a control group. We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis guidelines, conducted a risk-of-bias assessment using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2, and interpreted changes in CPSP relative to established minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs).

Thirteen studies (sample size mean: 86.5; median: 67; range: 20-194) met inclusion criteria, enrolling 1,155 patients (67.8% female, 32.2% male) across four main surgery types (spine, total knee/hip arthroplasty, mastectomy, lung resection). Our descriptive synthesis found that PA programs were implemented predominantly post-surgically, and varied in terms of modality, duration, frequency, and session length. Control groups also differed, with only two studies describing active controls. Low-quality evidence supports that PA interventions significantly reduce CPSP compared to control, with two studies demonstrating pain reductions exceeding MCIDs thresholds. Only three studies were considered overall low risk of bias. Findings suggest that PA interventions may offer some benefit in reducing CPSP, although the evidence remains inconclusive.

Evidence from available studies is insufficient to establish the definitive efficacy of PA in preventing or reducing CPSP. Future trials should clearly define intervention parameters and employ active control groups to strengthen methodological rigor. Incorporation of more comprehensive pain assessments will allow investigation of mechanisms of efficacy, as well as differential impact among patients.PROSPERO ID CRD42025626850.