358 Background: Faster physical recovery after gastrectomy may lead to better physical and psychological health in patients with gastric cancer. Post-surgical exercise may prevent physical dysfunction and improve recovery, but its effects on physical function are not fully explored. Methods: In this trial, 52 gastric cancer patients (Stage 1-3) were randomly assigned to early postoperative exercise rehabilitation or usual care (1:1 ratio). Interventions Inpatient Supervised Exercise sessions were conducted for 15 minutes once a day on Postoperative Day (POD) 1 and 2 in the ward. Home-based Exercise involved 30-minute remote exercise sessions at home once a week following discharge, with additional recommendations for daily 30-minute sessions of low to moderate-intensity aerobic exercises and bodyweight exercises. Moreover, the exercise group was provided with an exercise log and instructional videos to record the duration of bodyweight exercises and aerobic exercises. Measurements were taken three times (baseline, POD3, and the first outpatient visit 1 month after surgery). The primary outcome was a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), with secondary outcomes including grip strength, 30-second sit-to-stand (STS), body composition, C-reactive protein (CRP), and quality of life (QOL). Results: A total of 46 (88%) participants (mean [SD] age, 60.2 [12.24] years; 26 [57%] male) completed the trial. Compliance with intervention in-patient exercise was 96% and remote exercise was 79%. The significant difference in SPPB scores of 11.4±1.3 in the exercise group compared with 10.7±1.43 usual care group (mean difference, -1.09 score; 95%CI, -1.7 to -0.4; p=<.001). Moreover, there were significant differences between groups in the STS exercise group 14.3±2.8 usual care group 13.6±4.5 (mean difference, 1.86; 95%CI, -3.3 to -0.4; p=.028), and CRP in POD3 exercise group 66.9±40.73 usual care group 103.7±54.25 (mean difference, -22.54 score; 95%CI, -46.5 to 1.4; p=.016). However, there was no significant difference in grip strength, body composition, and QOL. Conclusions: Postoperative exercise presents as a beneficial strategy to enhance physical recovery in patients undergoing gastrectomy, improving key physical function markers and reducing inflammation. Clinical trial information: NCT06260293 .
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