Prehabilitation program for cancer patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery

Evaluation of a Multimodal Program of Prehabilitation in Oncological Patients Undergoing Major Gastrointestinal Surgery Within an ERAS Pathway.

Not applicable Interventional Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele · NCT06404489

This study is testing whether a personalized program that includes exercise, nutrition, and stress relief can help cancer patients recover better and have fewer complications after major stomach surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversità Vita-Salute San Raffaele Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Cagliari, Sardegna and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06404489 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a personalized, multidisciplinary prehabilitation program aimed at reducing severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing major oncological gastrointestinal surgery. It is a randomized controlled trial involving 400 patients who will be divided into two groups: one receiving a multimodal prehabilitation program that includes exercise training, nutritional therapy, and anxiety-reducing techniques, and the other receiving standard care. The primary goal is to assess the impact of prehabilitation on postoperative complications within 30 days, while secondary outcomes include recovery time, hospital stay length, and quality of life metrics.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult patients over 18 scheduled for elective gastrointestinal surgery due to cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with severe comorbid conditions or those unable to complete study procedures may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce postoperative complications and improve recovery for cancer patients undergoing major surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with prehabilitation approaches in surgical patients, indicating potential for success in this trial.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All adult patients (age \> 18 years) scheduled for elective gastrointestinal surgery for cancer.
* Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Co-morbid medical, physical, and mental conditions interfering with the ability to complete study procedures, such as:

* acute or unstable cardio-respiratory conditions (e.g., unstable angina or symptomatic severe aortic stenosis)
* severe/end-stage organ diseases (e.g., cardiac failure NYHA functional classes III-IV, COPD FEV1 \<50% pred, end-stage kidney or liver disease);
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classes 4-5.
* disabling orthopedic and neuromuscular disease.
* psychosis, dementia;
* symptomatic anemia.
* Pregnancy

Where this trial is running

Cagliari, Sardegna and 1 other locations

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 Oncological PatientsMajor SurgeryPrehabilitationMultimodal prehabilitation programStandard care treatmentMajor gastrointestinal surgeryHospital stayFunctional walking
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.