Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Early Mobilization Program on Recovery Outcomes among Postoperative Abdominal Surgery Patients

Background: Early mobilization after abdominal surgery is an important nursing intervention that promotes recovery, reduces postoperative complications, and improves patient outcomes. However, mobilization is often delayed due to pain, fear, and lack of structured nursing guidance. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led early mobilization program on recovery outcomes among postoperative abdominal surgery patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a control group design was conducted among 100 postoperative abdominal surgery patients admitted to the surgical ward of a tertiary care hospital. Patients were divided into an experimental group (n=50) receiving a nurse-led early mobilization program and a control group (n=50) receiving routine postoperative care. Recovery outcomes assessed included postoperative pain, time to first ambulation, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The experimental group showed significantly improved recovery outcomes compared to the control group. The mean postoperative pain score in the experimental group decreased from 7.2±1.1 on day 1 to 3.1±0.9 on day 3, while the control group showed a decrease from 7.1±1.2 to 5.4±1.0. The mean length of hospital stay was shorter in the experimental group (5.2±1.3 days) compared to the control group (7.4±1.5 days) (p<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was also lower in the experimental group (10%) than in the control group (28%). Conclusion: The nurse-led early mobilization program significantly improved recovery outcomes among postoperative abdominal surgery patients. Implementation of structured early mobilization protocols by nurses can enhance postoperative recovery and reduce hospital stay.