Implementing Surgery School Prehabilitation Using Telehealth

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Tele-prehabilitation education session: Surgery School: Online telehealth education program using videos and a live clinician facilitator

Individualised Inspiratory Muscle Training and Walking Program: An individualised inspiratory muscle training and walking program delivered by a Physiotherapist using telehealth.

Usual Care: Usual care alone. Usual care will be reviewed every four months during the trial and site leads will be asked to provide information about any changes to usual hospital and medical care at their site.

Study summary

The physiological challenge of major surgery has been likened to running a marathon. In both cases, preparation is critical. Yet, many patients undergo major surgery without understanding the potential consequences.

The STTARRS trial aims to test the effect of an education program delivered via telehealth in people preparing for lung or major abdominal cancer surgery , compared with usual care on the development of a respiratory complications after surgery.

The secondary aims will be to determine the effect of the online education program for people preparing for lung or major abdominal cancer surgery compared to usual care on the following outcomes; acute hospital length of stay, surgical recovery, physical function and activity, self-efficacy, behaviour change, symptoms, health-related quality of life, number of days alive and out of hospital and health service usage and survival.

This trial includes one sub-study. The sub-study will recruit eligible people preparing for lung cancer surgery. In the sub-study, 35 participants will receive an individualised inspiratory muscle training and walking program delivered and monitored by telehealth in addition to the main STTARRS trial intervention before surgery.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Post operative Pulmonary Complication (PPC) — Daily for up to 7 days post operatively or until hospital discharge.
  Post operative pulmonary complications (PPC) will be assessed using the Melbourne Group Score (MGS). The MGS is an eight-item checklist. Minimum score 0, Maximum score 8. Participants are identifying as having a PPC if they score four or more in a 24-hour period.

Trial sites (9)

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