Protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study in Japan: association among hospital-acquired disability, regular exercise and long-term care dependency in older patients after cardiac surgery.

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, and of each collaborating hospital. We obtained written informed consent from all study participants after the description of the study procedures. Publication of the study results is anticipated in 2025.