Surgical prehabilitation via the asensei app. v1.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study to explore the Feasibility and Acceptability of the Asensei App to deliver Prehabilitation prior to surgery (The FAAAP study)
IRAS ID
271606
Contact name
Graeme Couper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Lothian
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study will investigate prehabilitation before surgery delivered via a mobile application, the asensei app. Prehabilitation is rehabilitation delivered to prevent or reduce subsequent injury or complications and has been shown to help people withstand the stresses of surgery and improve recovery afterwards. The asensei app is a digital platform that has been developed to deliver tailored training with individualised programmes and automated feedback for the fitness industry. This asensei app has now been adapted for people to use prior to surgery to enable the delivery of prehabilitation. This pilot feasibility study will investigate how easy it is to use the app before surgery and whether it can improve physical fitness and quality of life.
The study will take place at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with up to 75 people who are awaiting surgery. The study will undertake three 'Plan Do Study Act (PDSA)' cycles. Each cycle will include participants undertaking a six-week prehabilitation programme delivered via the asensei app with two visits to the hospital for measures to be taken before and after the prehabilitation (may be via Near Me if required). The measures will look at physical ability and fitness and quality of life. There will also be weekly phone-calls and one-to-one discussions after the six weeks to explore how useful people have found the app and how easy it was to use. The study is being undertaken by researchers at NHS Lothian and Queen Margaret University in collaboration with asensei, a private company who have developed the app. The study has been funded by the Technology Enabled Care fund.
It is anticipated, if successful, this new innovation will have the potential to be used internationally and across different areas of prehabilitation and rehabilitation.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
21/SS/0047
Date of REC Opinion
5 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion