Statistical analysis
NRS
The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test was conducted for continuous variables. Normally distributed variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and independent samples t-test was used for between-group comparisons. Non-normally distributed variables were expressed as median (interquartile range, IQR) [M (Q1, Q3)], and the Mann-Whitney U test was employed for between-group comparisons. Repeated-measures ANOVA was utilized to compare multiple time points. Count data were presented as the number of cases, and the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact probability analysis was conducted for between-group comparisons. The significance level was set at α = 0.05, and differences were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05.The sample size calculation was based on a pilot study that included eight patients in each group using PASS 11 software. The calculation was performed based on the 24-hour postoperative exercise NRS scores in both groups (3 [