Stoma study shows importance of exercise to avoid complications      

A Metro North Health feasibility study has shown that people living with a post-surgery stoma should undertake an abdominal exercise program to improve quality of life to reduce further complications.  

Community and Oral Health Wound Management and Stomal Therapy Nurse Practitioner Monica Stankiewicz said while there is limited evidence around specific exercises for those living with a stoma, half of all people who have a stoma would develop complications due to low physical activity or increased abdominal pressure.  

“It is important that we get people moving, especially after abdominal surgery or for those who have a stoma,” Monica said.  

“In 2022, staff from Metro North Health and Griffith University came to together to explore, research and implement a co-designed exercise program for a small group of people living with a stoma.  

“The first phase saw the gathering of evidence and perspectives of a large number of participants with a stoma and key professionals, to understand the barriers and risks to implementing an exercise program in primary care.  

“Nearly two thirds of the 105 surveyed participants indicated concern around injuring themselves or causing a parastomal hernia if they were to perform an exercise routine.”  

The second phase of the feasibility study included the implementation of a core abdominal exercise program co-designed with ostomates, physiotherapists and communication experts.  

“This exercise program aimed to prevent stoma complications through fortnightly face-to- face education and a tailored daily exercise program delivered by an experienced physiotherapist,” Monica said.  

 “As part of the feasibility study, 14 participants who completed the tailored exercise program reported positive changes in health outcomes including increased physical activity and returned to normal, pre-operative physical health.”  

Monica said that while the tailored exercise program was safe to deliver, the team was working to refine the program and look for opportunities for funding to complete a larger scale study.  

Metro North Community and Oral Health delivers a nurse practitioner-led chronic wound and stoma service at Chermside Community Health Centre which provides clinical care for prevention, assessment and management of wounds and stomal care.  

The service implements care plans and works with GP nurses, community organisations, patients, and their families, to support the patient in the community setting.