Changes in the amount of physical activity in minimally invasive cardiac surgery

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare the amount of physical activity in a minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) group with that in a conventional surgery (median sternotomy) group. [Subjects and Methods] Between November 2010 and December 2011, 39 consecutive patients who underwent elective surgery for valvular disease were prospectively enrolled. The amount of physical activity before and after surgery was measured in 22 cases. The daily in-hospital physical activity level was measured continuously using a triaxial accelerometer. The results were compared in terms of change in the amount of physical activity pre- and postoperatively. [Results] There was no significant difference between the two groups in the amount of physical activity before surgery. However, the amount of physical activity after surgery was significantly higher in the MICS group compared with the conventional surgery group. The number of steps after surgery was significantly increased in the MICS group, and the rate of change in the amount of physical activity was significantly higher in the MICS group than that in the conventional surgery group. [Conclusion] The MICS approach is associated with improvement in postoperative physical activity over median sternotomy.