Objectively measured activity is not associated with average pain intensity 1 week after surgery: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundMeasures of physical activity and pain‐related patient‐reported outcomes are important components of patient recovery after surgery. However, little is known about their association in the early post‐operative period. This study aims to increase this knowledge. Our primary objective was to determine the association between average pain intensity and activity (in steps) 1 week after surgery. Secondary objectives were the association of activity with other patient‐reported outcomes, age, sex, comorbidities and body mass index.MethodsData were obtained from the PROMPT sub‐project of IMI‐PainCare. Patients after breast and endometriosis‐related surgery, sternotomy and total knee arthroplasty completed pain‐related outcomes questionnaires and wore an ActiGraph activity‐tracking device. We correlated steps with average pain intensity on post‐operative days 6 and 7. Secondary analyses were done using correlations and t‐tests.ResultsIn 284 cases, there was no statistically significant correlation between steps and average pain intensity. In addition, none of the 28 secondary analyses showed a statistically significant result.ConclusionsPain‐related patient‐reported outcome measures and physical activity are separate entities. Both should be measured after surgery to assess patient recovery and to identify treatment deficiencies.Significance StatementMeasuring recovery is a multi‐dimensional challenge. After surgery, clinicians need to be aware that neither pain intensity nor activity levels tell the whole story. Each can hint to problems and treatment requirements.