Prehabilitation program for patients with head and neck or liver cancer

PREoPerAtive pREhabilitation in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer or Liver Cancer (PREPARE)

Not applicable Interventional Erasmus Medical Center · NCT05745558

This study tests a prehabilitation program for people with head and neck or liver cancer to see if it helps them get healthier before and after surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorErasmus Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Rotterdam, South Holland)
Trial IDNCT05745558 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a prehabilitation program for patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer or liver cancer. Participants will engage in a 3-to-6 week program that includes physical training, nutritional support, smoking cessation, and psychosocial counseling. The study will evaluate patient satisfaction, compliance, and health outcomes at three different time points: before the program, after the program, and 30 days post-surgery. The goal is to improve both pre- and postoperative outcomes by addressing unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older diagnosed with head and neck or liver cancer who are scheduled for surgery and can commit to the prehabilitation program.

Not a fit: Patients who do not understand Dutch or have severe comorbidities that limit their ability to participate in the program may not benefit.

Why it matters

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

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have suggested that prehabilitation programs can improve surgical outcomes, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years
* Diagnosis of head and neck cancer or liver cancer
* Scheduled for surgery in Erasmus MC
* Provision of written informed consent
* Only patient with a waiting time of at least 3 weeks till surgery can participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients that do not understand the Dutch language
* Patients with severe physical or psychological comorbidities that limit participation in the prehabilitation program

Where this trial is running

Rotterdam, South Holland

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 LiverCancer Head Neck
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.