Effects of early recumbent bicycle exercise on gastrointestinal recovery after gynecologic malignancy surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

This study examined the effect of early recumbent cycling on postoperative gastrointestinal recovery in patients undergoing surgery for ma-lignant gynecological tumors. Between January 2024 and February 2025, we se-lected 80 patients undergoing surgery for malignant tumors in the Gynecology Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University using convenience sampling. We randomly assigned participants using block randomization to the cycling intervention group (n=40) or the control group receiving conventional care (n=40). The control group received routine post-operative care, while the intervention group began recumbent cycling six hours after regaining consciousness from anesthesia. We assessed the following out-comes: time to return of bowel sounds, first flatulence, first bowel movement, the score of eating - nausea - vomiting - physical examination-symptom duration (I-FEED) and the recovery quality score (QOR-15). Seventy-seven participants completed the study (intervention: n=39; control: n=38). The intervention group had earlier onset of flatulence, earlier defecation, and faster recovery of bowel sounds. The I-FEED score was significantly lower (p<0.001), and the QOR-15 score was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the intervention group. In conclusion, early recumbent cycling is an effective non-pharmacological inter-vention that promotes postoperative gastrointestinal recovery in patients with malignant gynecological tumors.