New and Innovative Program of Gentle Recovery Movements to Strengthen the Abdominal and Core Muscles After Ostomy Surgery

Background/problem: There is a lack of specific instruction after ostomy surgery related to physical activity (specifically abdominal and core strengthening) as well as lifting and safe moving guidelines.  An article was written summarizing ostomate survey data that supports this.¹ The article looked at physical activity and exercise, general attitudes and opinions about exercise, whether advice about physical activity had been received and other general questions about parastomal hernia and quality of life. 

Objective: To bring awareness, educate and encourage WOC nurses to promote the benefits of a new abdominal and core post-operative rehabilitation program here in the US. 

Methodology: There is a new comprehensive, peer-reviewed program that was developed and globally adopted in the UK where all SCN’s (Stoma Care Nurses) attend specialized abdominal and core rehabilitation training.  By the end of 2018, a total of 15 courses and around 180 HCP’s (Health Care Professionals) will have been trained. These HCP’s are mainly SCN’s, but there have also been a few enhanced recovery nurses, physiotherapists, surgeons and a research fellow.

Much like there is cardiac rehab for heart patients or physical therapy rehab after having bone/joint operations, there is now a program for abdominal rehabilitation after stoma surgery. The goal is to create awareness of the new program and its clinical benefits here in the US.

Conclusion: There is now a comprehensive and easy to follow, 3 phase abdominal and core rehabilitation series available in the US that is designed for people of all fitness levels.  Since there was strong adoption of the program in the UK, we are hoping that HCP’s in the US will also see the value this program can have for their post-operative stoma patients.