Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41020293›Full record

ArticleJournal of advanced nursing2026

On the Move to Surgery: A Scoping Review of Patient-Reported Outcomes for Preoperative Walking Into the Operating Theatre.

Sebastian Labenbacher, Sascha Hammer, Angelika Moser, Nikolaus Schreiber, Helmar Bornemann-Cimenti

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Campbell systematic reviews · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sebastian LabenbacherDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6877-1528
Sascha HammerDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4062-2572
Angelika MoserMedical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8585-5701
Nikolaus SchreiberDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3691-8457
Helmar Bornemann-CimentiDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1201-3752

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAlthough healthcare infrastructure has improved in recent years, the preoperative journey of patients is often accompanied by anxiety. Allowing patients to walk to the operating theatre is a simple, yet underexplored strategy that may enhance their sense of autonomy and reduce anxiety. As patient-centred care gains importance, evaluating the effects of this approach on patient-reported outcomes may be more relevant than widely assumed.

aimIn this scoping review, we aim to analyse the published literature on preoperative walking into the operating theatre and patient-reported outcomes, such as anxiety and satisfaction.

designThis study was a scoping review that followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, Scoping Review extension guidelines.

methodsInclusion criteria were adult patients undergoing elective surgery and walking to the operating theatre. Data were extracted using a standardised form, and critical appraisal was performed by using ROBINS-I V2.0, RoB2 and ROB-E tools. DATA SOURCES: Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane databases (OVID) and CINAHL (EBSCOhost) were searched up to 31st January 2025.

resultsOur search identified 958 articles, with seven trials included in the final analysis. The studies, published between 1994 and 2022, involved 3001 patients from North America, Asia and Europe. The interventions varied, but most patients reported improved satisfaction and reduced anxiety when walking to the operating theatre. No adverse events were reported, although patient preferences varied, with younger patients more likely to prefer walking.

conclusionWalking to the theatre positively impacts patient satisfaction and autonomy. However, patient selection is key, as not all individuals are physically or mentally prepared for walking. Future research could explore unaccompanied walking and its effects on hospital resource utilisation. Preoperative walking is a beneficial intervention that enhances patient satisfaction and reduces anxiety, providing a feasible alternative to bed transport for many elective surgical patients. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public involvement.

Indexed as

Elective Surgical ProceduresOperating RoomsPatient Reported Outcome MeasuresPreoperative CareWalkingAdultAgedAnxietyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient Satisfactionanaesthesiaanxietyoperating roomspatient reported outcomeperioperative medicinewalking

Identifiers

PMID41020293
PMCPMC13176673

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.