Effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in enhanced recovery protocols after surgery: a systematic review

Identifier:  TFG:9969

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG9969

Authors:  Farrás Chesé, Carla

Abstract:
Introduction: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have become an established model of care for reducing the impact of surgical interventions. However, there is heterogeneity in the implementation and dosing of physiotherapy and rehabilitation interventions within these programs. Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions integrated into ERAS protocols for adult surgical patients, evaluating their impact on functional recovery and postoperative complications based on the type of surgery performed. Material and methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. A literature search was performed in the MEDLINE (PubMed), PEDro, and Cochrane Library databases. The search strategy combined MeSH terms such as "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery," "Physical Therapy," "Physiotherapy," and "Rehabilitation" to identify clinical trials published between 2021 and 2026. Results: Twenty studies were selected. Evidence indicates that physiotherapy—through rehabilitation and early mobilization programs—significantly improves functional capacity and accelerates respiratory and gastrointestinal recovery. The preoperative period is highlighted as crucial for optimizing the patient's functional status and improving postoperative outcomes. Conclusions: Physiotherapy integrated into ERAS protocols is associated with improved functional recovery in adult surgical patients, facilitating an earlier recovery. Despite the observed benefits, the heterogeneity of interventions limits the comparability of results across studies, highlighting the need for greater standardization in their application.