ANALYSIS OF HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND ACCELEROMETRY IN PATIENTS
FOLLOWING SURGERY FOR THE TREATMENT FOR GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER
Abstract
Introduction: Gastrointestinal cancer is the most prevalent form of
cancer worldwide. Surgical treatment interferes with functioning and
increases the length of hospital stay. However, studies have shown that
early mobilization reduces the length of hospital stay. Objectives:
Determine the cardiovascular safety and intensity of an adapted protocol
for early mobilization in patients following surgery for the treatment
of gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional
study was conducted with 24 individuals: 15 in the case group (cancer
patients in the post-operative period) and nine in the control group
(hospitalized patients without cancer). All participants were submitted
to a standardized early mobilization physiotherapeutic protocol. A
portable heart rate monitor and accelerometer were used to obtain data
on heart rate variability (HRV) and the intensity of physical activity
(IPA) before and after the intervention. Results: No statistically
significant differences in energy expenditure or IPA percentages were
found between groups. Moreover, no significant difference in HRV
occurred in the case group, whereas differences in RR, HR and pNN50
variables were found in the control group. Conclusion: Early
mobilization for patients following surgery for the treatment of
gastrointestinal cancer can be performed without increasing HRV and with
energy expenditure and IPA similar to those found in patients without
cancer.