Improving Postoperative Care Through Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Isometric Exercise Interventions: A Systemic Review (Preprint)

Abstract

This review identifies the impacts of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and isometric exercise interventions (IEIs) in postoperative care settings. Both interventions are relatively new approaches to maintain physical functioning, alleviate pain, prevent joint stiffness and muscular atrophy, and positively influence other postoperative care outcomes.

To our knowledge, a review of the impacts of these interventions and, more specifically, of their combination has not been done before. This review will be the first to do so.

Studies were identified by searching “PubMed” and “Cochrane databases” within PPRISMA algorithm format and using the relevant keyword combinations, which resulted in 39 studies meeting the inclusion criteria.

In general, MBCT was shown to positively impact both pain relief and physical functioning while IEIs positively impacted physical functioning. Numerous other benefits were also described from both interventions and further research is needed to confirm these findings as well as to determine other possible benefits. However, no studies were found that combined MBCT and IEIs.

While there are many positive results from each individual intervention, there is a lack of information about how the combination of MBCT and IEIs might impact postoperative care. The combination of the two interventions might prove to be more effective than each individual intervention alone and the findings from this review show that they could even be complementary. Going forward, research should be expanded to study the possible benefits of the combination of MBCT and IEIs in postoperative care routines as well as other possible combinations.