Prehabilitation of cancer patients before major abdominal surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Trimodal Prehabilitation Programme using Smart Watches and Mobile applications in Patients undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery: a randomised controlled pilot study.
IRAS ID
256918
Contact name
Omer Aziz
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 6 days
Research summary
This is a randomised controlled pilot study of a home-based prehabilitation programme carried out by The Christie Colorectal and Peritoneal Oncology centre. Prehabilitation is an intervention designed to improve physical fitness levels in patients before surgery. The aim is to help patients cope better with the stress surgery places on the body.
Research has shown that prehabilitation may reduce complications, length of stay, and death rates after surgery. A tri-modal prehabilitation programme consisting of physical exercise, dietary advice, and mental well-being interventions and may be more effective than an exercise intervention alone.
30 patients due to undergo major abdominal surgery at The Christie will be enrolled and participate during the 2-6 weeks prior to surgery. 15 patients will be randomised to a control group and 15 patients will receive a tailored prehabilitation programme.
The prehabilitation programme will be delivered via the use of commercially available FitBit watch and mobile applications and consist of an individualised exercise programme, individualised nutritional advice, and mindfulness training via a free smart phone app "Smiling Mind". These smart technologies have been chosen as they may improve patient motivation and allow for the delivery of a home-based prehabilitation programme without the need for the patient to travel to The Christie to attend multiple study appointments. The control group will receive a FitBit Flex 2 for physical activity monitoring only.
This study builds on a prior feasibility study that was conducted in 4 patients at The Christie. This demonstrated that prehabilitation could be delivered via smart watches and mobile applications.
The eligibility criteria has been carefully considered to ensure only eligible individuals and who are capable of giving consent are included in this pilot study. Patients will be given the opportunity to discuss participation in the study with family, GP and research team before consenting.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
19/NI/0033
Date of REC Opinion
26 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion