Multimodal Prehabilitation in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Trimodal prehabilitation: Trimodal prehabilitation program (4-week physical exercise before surgery, nutritional optimization, and psychological support) in patients undergoing ERAS colorectal resection for cancer

Study summary

Postoperative complications can occur in up to 50% of individuals undergoing colorectal resection and are associated with poor prognosis, increased costs, and lower health-related quality of life. Even in the absence of complications, after major surgery, patients reduce their physiological and functional capacity by 20-40% and show a higher level of fatigue for 6-8 weeks. Many of these negative effects can be decreased by applying specific ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) programs which, by attenuating the neuro-endocrine response induced by surgical trauma, accelerate patients\' post-operative convalescence and facilitate their return to functional activities.

In this study, the research group hypothesizes that a prehabilitation program based on physical exercise, nutritional optimization and psychological support (trimodal) carried out by patients in the 4 weeks before elective colorectal resection surgery can determine: 1) better physical performance 8 weeks after surgery (measured by the 6-minute walk test), 2) a possible decrease in postoperative complications, and 3) a reduction in in-hospital (direct) and post-hospital discharge (indirect) costs.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Postoperative functional capacity — From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks after surgery
  The primary outcome for functional capacity was measured by the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), chosen as a validated, objective measure of colorectal surgery recovery integrating all components of physical activity.

Trial sites (1)

More University Hospital of Ferrara trials in Italy

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