Multidimensional Prehabiliation in Cancer Surgery: Systematic Review of Quality-of-life Benefits from Nutritional, Psychological and Physical Interventions
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
17-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 2:30 PM
Description
INTRODUCTION:
Prehabilitation is any rehab intervention employed prior to surgery, and is a concept that is implemented in the practice of orthopedic surgery for patients to participate prior to surgery in hopes of better outcomes. It is important to evaluate its effectiveness in non-orthopedic surgeries. This study specifically looked at prehabilitation in oncologic surgeries. The goal was to determine if prehabilitation consisting of nutritional, psychological, and physical exercise intervention improved a patient's postoperative quality of life compared to those who received standard care.
METHODS:
Articles were collected using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and PCOM library. Publication dates were limited to 2018 to 2024. Search terms included: pre-rehabilitation, prehabilitation, pre-operative rehabilitation, and quality of life. Inclusion criteria required articles to define prehabilitation as comprising nutritional, psychological, and physical components implemented for at least one week prior to surgery, patient allocation to a group for rehabilitation or a group for standard care and to report postoperative quality of life outcomes using questionnaire forms SF-36, EORTC, or FACT-B. A single author extensively reviewed the collected articles. A Cochrane risk of bias assessment was completed. Data synthesis was conducted via qualitative review.
RESULTS:
Of the 1697 articles identified, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria defined in the methods.All six studies involved oncologic surgeries. All participants in the included studies were matched at baseline. Quality of life was assessed and compared at baseline before surgery, and post-operatively in both groups. Of the 6 studies, 3 were found to show significant improvement (p< 0.005) in quality of life post-operatively when comparing the prerehabilitation group to no intervention.
CONCLUSION:
With 50% of studies reporting significant improvements in quality of life, prehabilitation offers some promising results. Tailoring prehabilitation to each patient’s specific needs, adjusting the timing and intensity, and involving a multidisciplinary team may further enhance outcomes.
Embargo Period
5-25-2026
Multidimensional Prehabiliation in Cancer Surgery: Systematic Review of Quality-of-life Benefits from Nutritional, Psychological and Physical Interventions
Philadelphia, PA
INTRODUCTION:
Prehabilitation is any rehab intervention employed prior to surgery, and is a concept that is implemented in the practice of orthopedic surgery for patients to participate prior to surgery in hopes of better outcomes. It is important to evaluate its effectiveness in non-orthopedic surgeries. This study specifically looked at prehabilitation in oncologic surgeries. The goal was to determine if prehabilitation consisting of nutritional, psychological, and physical exercise intervention improved a patient's postoperative quality of life compared to those who received standard care.
METHODS:
Articles were collected using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and PCOM library. Publication dates were limited to 2018 to 2024. Search terms included: pre-rehabilitation, prehabilitation, pre-operative rehabilitation, and quality of life. Inclusion criteria required articles to define prehabilitation as comprising nutritional, psychological, and physical components implemented for at least one week prior to surgery, patient allocation to a group for rehabilitation or a group for standard care and to report postoperative quality of life outcomes using questionnaire forms SF-36, EORTC, or FACT-B. A single author extensively reviewed the collected articles. A Cochrane risk of bias assessment was completed. Data synthesis was conducted via qualitative review.
RESULTS:
Of the 1697 articles identified, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria defined in the methods.All six studies involved oncologic surgeries. All participants in the included studies were matched at baseline. Quality of life was assessed and compared at baseline before surgery, and post-operatively in both groups. Of the 6 studies, 3 were found to show significant improvement (p< 0.005) in quality of life post-operatively when comparing the prerehabilitation group to no intervention.
CONCLUSION:
With 50% of studies reporting significant improvements in quality of life, prehabilitation offers some promising results. Tailoring prehabilitation to each patient’s specific needs, adjusting the timing and intensity, and involving a multidisciplinary team may further enhance outcomes.