Simple bed exercises to reduce postoperative ileus after colorectal surgery

Simple Bed Exercises for Reducing Postoperative Ileus in Colorectal Surgical Patients, a Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · The University of Hong Kong · NCT07014046

This test tries simple bed exercises to see if they help adults who develop postoperative ileus after elective colorectal surgery get their bowels working sooner.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment76 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThe University of Hong Kong (other)
Locations1 site (Hong Kong)
Trial IDNCT07014046 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized interventional study at United Christian Hospital will enroll adults who have undergone elective colorectal surgery and are experiencing postoperative ileus. Participants are randomized 1:1 by computer to a group that receives education and performs simple bed exercises or to a control group receiving usual care. Those in the exercise group are asked to perform 15-minute sessions three times daily starting on postoperative day one and continuing until bowel function returns. Investigators will compare time to return of bowel function and clinical recovery between groups, and eligibility excludes patients needing prolonged ICU care or with cognitive or physical limitations that prevent participation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) who had elective colorectal surgery, are currently experiencing postoperative ileus, can give informed consent, and can physically perform simple bed exercises are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients who required prolonged postoperative intensive care (>1 day), have severe cognitive impairment or physical limitations, or are not on the elective surgery list are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this low-cost approach could help patients recover bowel function faster and shorten hospital stays.

How similar studies have performed: Some research supports early mobilization and physiotherapy to reduce postoperative ileus, but specifically testing brief, nurse-delivered bed exercise programs in this population is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female patients aged \>/=18 years,
* patients who are diagnosed with colorectal problems that require elective colorectal surgical intervention either anastomosis or stoma, either open or laparoscopic, and the use of any type of postoperative analgesic,
* orientate to have informed consent and who have signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who are not in the list of elective colorectal surgeries
* Patients who require intraoperative and long postoperative intensive care \>1 day,
* with a history of mental disorder or confusion,
* patients with any active limitation which affects adherence to the study procedures like severe dementia and physical limitation.

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Postoperative Ileus, postoperative ileus, exercise

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.