Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Prehabilitation's Effect on Skeletal Muscle Mass in Cardiac Patients

This study aims to understand if a special exercise and activity programme, known as 'prehabilitation', can help improve muscle strength in people who are waiting for heart surgery. Doctors know that waiting times for heart operations have increased, and during this time, patients might become less active, which can weaken their muscles. Stronger muscles before surgery are often linked to a better recovery and an improved quality of life afterwards. While prehabilitation has shown good results for cancer patients, and early signs are promising for heart patients, there isn't much research specifically on how it affects muscle mass in this group. This study hopes to fill that gap and find out if these exercises can make a difference.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Manchester Metropolitan University

Enrolment target

Start

23 Sep 2024

Estimated completion

27 Sep 2026

Cardiovascular Diseases

What is this study about?

If you're waiting for heart surgery, you might be wondering about ways to prepare and make your recovery smoother. This study is looking into something called 'prehabilitation'. Think of prehabilitation as a special programme of exercises and activities you do before your operation. The main goal of this particular study is to see if taking part in this programme helps to build or maintain your muscle strength before surgery.

Why is this important? We know that waiting times for heart operations can be quite long. During this waiting period, people might become less active, which can lead to weaker muscles. Research has shown that having good muscle strength before surgery can lead to better recovery, a quicker return to daily activities, and an overall better quality of life afterwards. So, researchers want to find out if this focused exercise programme can help you stay stronger during your wait.

While prehabilitation has been studied in other areas, like for cancer patients, and has shown good results, there isn't much specific research yet on how it affects muscle strength in people waiting for heart surgery. This study aims to gather important information to see if this kind of programme could become a valuable part of preparing for heart operations in the future.

Key takeaways

This study explores how exercise before heart surgery affects muscle strength.
It's called 'prehabilitation' and involves activities at home.
Researchers will use a scanner to check muscle mass.
Stronger muscles before surgery may help with recovery.
It aims to fill a gap in research for heart patients.
Participation is voluntary and won't affect your usual care.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would generally need to be an adult between 18 and 85 years old. You should have been cleared for your first elective heart surgery by your surgical team, meaning it's a planned operation and not an emergency. It's also important that you can speak and understand English, and your doctors believe you are medically stable enough to take part.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have certain other serious health conditions like advanced cancer or severe heart failure, or conditions that would make exercise unsafe, you wouldn't be able to participate. Also, if you have recently had a chest operation (in the last year), have open wounds, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, the study wouldn't be suitable for you.

Quick self-check

Are you between 18 and 85 years old?
Are you having your first planned heart surgery?
Can you speak and understand English?
Are you generally well enough for exercise, as advised by your doctor?
Do you not have any other major health issues like advanced cancer or severe heart failure?
Are you not currently involved in another research study?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll be doing a special exercise and activity programme at home, in your local area. The researchers will use a scanner to measure your muscle mass at Manchester Metropolitan University. You'll also have some exercise tests to check how fit you are. There are no specific medications involved in the study. The surgical team at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Wythenshawe Hospital) will identify eligible patients, and if you're interested, they'll give you more information. The total duration of your participation would involve the prehabilitation period leading up to your surgery and any follow-up appointments mentioned in the full information.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer potential benefits, such as improving your muscle strength and activity levels before your heart surgery, which could lead to a better recovery. However, as with any exercise program, there's a small risk of muscle soreness or minor injury, though the exercises will be guided to be safe. You will receive clear instructions on how to exercise safely. Remember, taking part is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and it will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital
Manchester, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'prehabilitation'?

Prehabilitation is like 'pre-hab' – it's a programme of exercises and activities you do before a major operation to help you get stronger and recover better.

Why is muscle strength important before heart surgery?

Good muscle strength before surgery can help you recover more quickly, get back to your daily activities sooner, and generally feel better after your operation.

Where would I do the exercises?

The exercises and activities would mainly be done at your home and in your local area.

Will I need to go to a hospital for this study?

You'll go to Manchester Metropolitan University for some appointments to measure your muscle mass with a special scanner and to do some exercise tests.

Who is running this study?

This study is being run by researchers, with data collected at Manchester Metropolitan University, and patients identified by the surgical team at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.