6-week prehabilitation to prepare for aortic aneurysm repair
Prehabilitation for Aortic Aneurysm Surgery: Proof-of-concept Trial
This program will try a 6-week, phone-based prehabilitation to help adults scheduled for elective aortic aneurysm repair improve fitness, breathing, and mental readiness before surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT06998498 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-arm proof-of-concept program delivering a 6-week collaborative care prehabilitation called Ready for Recovery to adults awaiting elective aortic aneurysm repair. Participants have weekly phone sessions with a study trainer to set goals for physical activity, a healthy diet, and inspiratory muscle training, and to receive resources for stress, anxiety, depression, and smoking cessation. The team may also recommend medication adjustments to reduce surgical complications. The primary outcome is feasibility measured by the percentage of phone sessions completed, with secondary outcomes including acceptability (weekly 0-10 ratings) and preliminary effects on function, psychological symptoms, and health behaviors.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults scheduled for elective aortic aneurysm repair (open or endovascular) who can speak and write English and do not have cognitive disturbance or pregnancy are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with cognitive impairment, current pregnancy or plans to become pregnant before surgery, or inability to speak or write English are excluded and likely will not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could boost preoperative fitness and breathing strength, reduce anxiety or unhealthy behaviors, and potentially lower complications or speed recovery after aneurysm repair.
How similar studies have performed: Prehabilitation programs in other surgical populations have shown improved fitness and some postoperative outcomes, but prehabilitation specifically targeted to aortic aneurysm repair is less well studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults undergoing elective aortic aneurysm repair (open or endovascular) Exclusion Criteria: * Cognitive disturbance * Current pregnancy or plan to become pregnant prior to surgery * Inability to write/speak fluently in English
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christopher M Celano, M.D. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Christopher M Celano, M.D.
- Email: ccelano@mgh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-726-6485
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.