Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Preoperative Physical Exercise, Nutritional Support, and Psychological Intervention (Multimodal Prehabilitation) to Strengthen Patients' Overall Health and Reduce Postoperative Complications

This study, taking place in Germany, is for patients having major surgery for bowel cancer. It's looking into whether a special programme of exercise, diet advice, and mental health support (called 'multimodal prehabilitation') before surgery can help people recover better and have fewer problems afterwards. Comparing it to standard care, researchers want to see if this extra preparation makes patients stronger and more resilient for their operation. The aim is to reduce serious complications, improve long-term health, and understand exactly how this preparation helps the body cope with surgery more effectively. This could be a new way to help people having complex operations get back to full health quicker.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital of Cologne

Enrolment target

400

Start

01 Jul 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2029

Cancer Surgery Prehabilitation

What is this study about?

Imagine you're about to run a marathon – you wouldn't just turn up on the day, would you? You'd train, eat well, and prepare yourself. This study is based on a similar idea for people having major surgery for bowel cancer. It’s called 'prehabilitation' – which simply means preparing your body and mind before a big operation.

Major surgery can be tough on the body, and some people can experience difficulties or complications afterwards. This study wants to see if a special four-week programme, done before surgery, can make patients stronger and reduce the chances of these problems. The programme has three main parts: tailored exercise, personalised nutrition advice, and psychological support to help with any worries.

The researchers will compare patients who do this special programme with those who receive the usual care before surgery. They want to find out if the prepared group has fewer serious problems after their operation, recovers better, and generally has a more positive outcome. They also hope to understand how this preparation helps the body, for example, by improving heart health, boosting the immune system, and generally making cells stronger.

Key takeaways

Preparing your body before major surgery might reduce complications.
The study includes exercise, nutrition, and mental health support.
It's for patients having major bowel cancer surgery.
You'll either get the special programme or standard care.
The aim is shorter recovery and better long-term health.

Who may be eligible?

This study is for adults over 18 and up to 80 years old who are due to have a major operation for bowel cancer. This includes surgeries for cancers in places like the stomach, pancreas, liver, and lower bowel. You would need to be considered at a higher risk of having complications after surgery, perhaps because you have other health conditions or find it harder to be physically active.

To join, you must be able to commit to at least four weeks of this special preparation programme before your surgery. There are certain things that would stop you from taking part, such as needing emergency surgery, having unstable heart or lung conditions, or physical problems that would prevent you from exercising safely. You also can't be taking part in another study that might affect the results of this one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Are you having a major bowel cancer operation soon?
Do you have other health conditions that might make surgery riskier?
Can you commit to a four-week preparation programme before surgery?
Are you able to do some exercise safely?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be randomly put into one of two groups. One group will receive the 'multimodal prehabilitation' programme for at least four weeks before your surgery. This programme involves regular, high-intensity exercise, special advice on your diet, and talking with a psychologist for emotional support. The other group will receive the standard care that is usually given before surgery.

Both groups will have their health and recovery carefully monitored after the surgery. The study team will check for any complications and how well you are recovering. The total duration of your active involvement will be from the start of the prehabilitation programme (or the equivalent pre-surgery period for the control group) until a certain point after your operation, when your recovery is assessed. Specific details about visits and assessments would be fully explained by the study team.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially help you prepare better for your surgery, possibly leading to a smoother recovery and fewer complications. You might also gain valuable insights into managing your health through exercise and nutrition. However, as with any exercise or dietary change, there are always some potential risks. The exercise programme will be carefully supervised and tailored to your fitness level to minimise any risks, but you might experience some muscle soreness or fatigue. The psychological support is generally considered low risk. It's important to remember that you can stop taking part in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

University Hospital of Cologne
Verified postcode
Cologne, Germany

Common questions

What does 'multimodal prehabilitation' mean?

It's a special programme combining exercise, healthy eating advice, and mental health support before surgery to help you get stronger.

What kind of cancer surgery is this study for?

It's for major operations on organs like the stomach, pancreas, liver, and lower bowel to treat cancer.

How long does the programme last before surgery?

The special preparation programme lasts for at least four weeks before your operation.

Will I definitely get the special preparation programme?

You'll be randomly assigned to either the special preparation group or the group that receives standard care, like flipping a coin.

Who is running this study?

This is a large study involving several hospitals in Germany.

How to find out more

Robert Schier, MD, PhD

robert.schier@uk-koeln.de 0049-178-8210611 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.