The Effect of Bedside Yoga Intervention on Early Mobilization in Children

Early mobilization in the postoperative period is an important approach that accelerates the recovery process and reduces the risk of complications. Movement improves lung ventilation, thereby decreasing the risk of atelectasis and pneumonia, while supporting circulation and preventing the development of deep vein thrombosis and embolism. In addition, it promotes bowel motility, reducing the risk of constipation and ileus; preserves muscle strength, preventing muscle atrophy; and enhances patients' overall well-being. Its contribution to pain control and psychological well-being is also among the significant benefits of early mobilization. Early mobilization is known to offer advantages such as reducing complications and shortening the length of hospital stay. However, managing this process in pediatric patients is more challenging, as factors such as pain and anxiety may delay mobilization.

Yoga, as a non-pharmacological intervention, has been applied in various patient groups and has yielded positive outcomes due to its muscle-relaxing effects, breath control techniques, and ability to promote psychological relaxation. In recent years, the effects of yoga on pain management in children have increasingly attracted research attention. Pain in children is associated not only with physical discomfort but also with psychological stress, anxiety, and distress, all of which may negatively affect the recovery process. Because yoga provides a holistic mind-body approach that incorporates breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, and gentle physical movements, it is considered an effective method for controlling pain in children. Studies have shown that regular yoga practice may reduce pain perception in children, enhance pain tolerance, and alleviate stress-related pain through its calming effects on the central nervous system. In particular, gentle bed-based yoga exercises performed by children experiencing postoperative pain have been reported to support musculoskeletal relaxation, accelerate recovery, and reduce the need for pharmacological pain management.

A systematic review examining the use of yoga for pain management in children revealed that yoga interventions may provide analgesic effects in both chronic and acute pain conditions. Studies involving pediatric patients undergoing cancer treatment have demonstrated that regular yoga practice reduces chemotherapy-related pain and improves overall well-being. Furthermore, when combined with breathing exercises and meditation, yoga has been shown to increase children's tolerance to pain and reduce perceived pain intensity.

In a systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of yoga interventions during the postoperative recovery process, more than 20 randomized controlled trials involving patients who had undergone different surgical procedures were examined, and the effects of yoga on physical and psychological recovery after surgery were analyzed in detail. According to the findings, bed-based yoga practices play a significant role in reducing postoperative pain, improving respiratory function, and promoting early mobilization. It was emphasized that yoga exercises, particularly those involving deep-breathing techniques and gentle physical movements, help prevent postoperative muscle stiffness and joint limitations. In addition, yoga interventions were found to reduce anxiety and stress levels, enabling patients to manage the postoperative period more comfortably and effectively. The review also reported that yoga accelerated the mobilization process and reduced complication rates, particularly among patients undergoing minimally invasive and orthopedic surgeries. The authors further highlighted the importance of considering yoga as a standard component of postoperative care and advocated for its greater inclusion among non-pharmacological approaches in nursing practice.

Studies conducted in adult surgical patients have demonstrated that bed-based yoga contributes positively to pain management and the mobilization process. However, there remains a limited number of studies investigating the effects of bed-based yoga interventions in pediatric surgical patients.

This study aims to contribute to the limited body of research evaluating the effect of postoperative bed-based yoga interventions on early mobilization in pediatric surgical patients. In this context, the study is expected to address an important gap in the literature regarding the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in postoperative care.

Inclusion criteria

• Hospitalized in a pediatric surgery unit for surgery.
• Able to participating in pediatric yoga.
• Able to understand and communicate in Turkish.

Exclusion criteria

• none