Improving physical condition before surgery for cancer patients

PREHABILITATION During Neoadjuvant Therapy in Patients With Cancer of the Upper Digestive Tract and Rectum

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital Ostrava · NCT05646043

This study is testing a home exercise program to see if it can help cancer patients improve their fitness and health before surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital Ostrava Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Ostrava, Moravian-Silesian Region)
Trial IDNCT05646043 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot project investigates the feasibility of a prehabilitation program for patients with esophageal, stomach, and rectal cancers undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. The program focuses on enhancing physical fitness through home-based endurance walking and muscle strength training to improve overall health before surgery. The study aims to determine if patients can successfully complete the exercise regimen during the preoperative period, potentially leading to better surgical outcomes. By addressing the physical and mental challenges posed by chemotherapy, the research seeks to improve patients' quality of life and reduce postoperative complications.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 with radically operable locally advanced esophageal, stomach, or rectal cancer who can participate in a prehabilitation program.

Not a fit: Patients with severe locomotor limitations, inoperable conditions, or those undergoing non-surgical treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could enhance recovery and reduce complications for cancer patients undergoing surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for prehabilitation programs in improving surgical outcomes, indicating this approach is supported by existing evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* radically operable locally advanced cancer of the esophagus, esophagogastric junction, stomach
* radically operable locally advanced carcinoma of the rectum
* the patient is able to handle the planned surgical resection procedure
* planned preoperative neoadjuvant therapy
* age \> 18 years
* the ability to complete a spiroergometric examination
* the ability to carry out a prehabilitation program consent to participate in the study confirmed by signing the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* contraindications for spiroergometric examination
* limitation on the part of the locomotor system to spiroergometric examination or daily exercise (e.g. amputation, severe gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis)
* inoperability determined by the interdisciplinary team
* inability to manage the planned operational performance
* acute surgical performance
* synchronous malignant disease
* multivisceral resection
* planned non-surgical therapeutic procedure
* incomplete data

Where this trial is running

Ostrava, Moravian-Silesian Region

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cancer, Digestive SystemCancer, Rectumprehabilitationcancer of the digestive systemcancer of the rectumendurance walkingpower training
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.