Validation of a physical activity questionnaire (CHAMPS) as an indicator of postoperative recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BackgroundAlthough many surgical innovations are said to “shorten recovery,” recovery has not been consistently defined or measured. The goal of this study was to assess the validity of a physical activity questionnaire (The Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors [CHAMPS]) as an indicator of postoperative recovery.MethodsCHAMPS includes 41 questions asking the subject to estimate the time spent on a range of activities in the previous week; responses are converted into kcal/kg/wk. Patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were assessed preoperatively, 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (sensitivity to change). To assess construct validity, results were compared with other measures used to estimate recovery, including pain (VAS), health-related quality of life (SF-36), and complications. CHAMPS was also compared with a measure of exercise capacity, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Data expressed as median (IQR).ResultsA total of 50 patients, 72% female, mean (SD) age 51 (17) years, participated. CHAMPS-estimated energy expenditure decreased from 42 [25–64] preop to 18 [9–30] kcal/kg/wk (P < .001) 1 week postoperatively. It remained below baseline at 30 [16–61] kcal/kg/wk 1 month postoperatively (P = .042). At all time points, SF-36 Physical Function, pain with movement, and 6MWT distance significantly correlated with CHAMPS. At 1 month, physical activity was lower in patients reporting complications (16 [10–32] vs 42 [18–77], P < .01).ConclusionEvidence is provided for construct validity for a physical activity questionnaire as a measure of surgical recovery.