Pre-operative, exercise interventions in neo-adjuvant cancer patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility of a short-term prehabilitation exercise intervention on functional outcomes, for patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy or total neoadjuvant therapy prior to colorectal cancer surgery.
IRAS ID
342802
Contact name
Matt Haines
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Huddersfield
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 13 days
Research summary
This research project aims to conduct a feasibility study examining both the feasibility and effectiveness of a pre-operative (PREHAB) exercise intervention on patients receiving neoadjuvant cancer treatment (Chemotherapy or Total Neoadjuvant Therapy) prior to colorectal cancer surgery.
This study intends to build on the existing body of prehabilitation research used to enhance existing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathways, to further improve surgical outcomes for patients.
Current research suggests, prehabilitation exercise can be an effective strategy for increasing physiological reserves in patients undergoing surgery. Thus, improving favourable post-operative outcomes, (Northgreaves et al., 2019; Boyle et al., 2022). Furthermore, a Delphi study, (2015) consisting of colorectal surgeons, reported a consensus, that prehabilitation exercise programs should form part of the UK preoperative care pathway. However, no consensus was reached on both the strength of the available evidence and the design and feasibility of delivering interventions which produce quick improvements in surgical outcomes, (Boereboom et al, 2015; Northgreaves et al., 2019).
More-importantly, there is a dearth in research examining the feasibility and effectiveness of prehabilitation for patients receiving neoadjuvant cancer treatment prior to surgery. This itself presents an increased level of complexity to a prehabilitation intervention, due to the heterogenous effects of neoadjuvant cancer treatments (i.e, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy and/or cardiac toxicity).
Due to the nature of the neoadjuvant cancer treatment and the short window of opportunity for patients to exercise before surgery (4-12 weeks), the novel aspect of this feasibility/pilot study will evaluate both feasibility (i.e. acceptability, adherence etc), and effectiveness of a short-term exercise intervention used to improve patients’ functional capacity and physical and mental wellbeing prior to surgery and functional outcomes post surgery.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/YH/0004
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion