Prehabilitation with exercise and nutrition before esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
Impact of Prehabilitation in Oncology Via Exercise- Esophageal
This program will test if exercise plus nutrition before esophagectomy is doable and acceptable for adults with esophageal cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT06872515 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study compares a prehabilitation program of supervised resistance and aerobic training plus nutrition supplementation to usual care in adults preparing for esophagectomy. Eligible participants must have at least two weeks before surgery and an ECOG performance status of 0–2 and will be recruited at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (and affiliated sites). The trial measures feasibility and acceptability, documents pre-surgical care needs, and follows participants before surgery and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and four months after surgery. Data collected include adherence to the exercise and nutrition program and clinical recovery measures aligned with routine follow-up visits.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (age ≥18) with esophageal cancer who are identified as esophagectomy candidates at UPMC Hillman (or affiliated UPMC sites), have at least two weeks until surgery, an ECOG score ≤2, and can provide informed consent in English.
Not a fit: Patients with absolute contraindications to exercise, major comorbidities or musculoskeletal limitations that prevent participation, active infections or cytopenias, or those undergoing non‑esophagectomy chemotherapy or radiotherapy are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve patients' preoperative fitness and nutritional status, which may speed recovery and reduce postoperative complications.
How similar studies have performed: Prehabilitation programs have shown benefits in other surgical cancers such as colorectal and lung, but randomized or large-scale data specifically for esophageal cancer remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women, age ≥ 18 years old * Diagnosed with esophageal cancer * Identified as esophagectomy surgery candidates at Hillman Cancer Center or UPMC Shadyside * ≥ 2 weeks until scheduled esophagectomy * ECOG Performance Status Scale score of ≤ 2 * Ability to provide written informed consent * Ability to understand, speak, and read English. Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence in the medical record of an absolute contraindication for exercise (e.g., Heart insufficiency \> NYHA III or uncertain arrhythmia; uncontrolled hypertension; reduced standing or walking ability) * Any other comorbidities or musculoskeletal complications that preclude participation in the exercise programs as deemed by the exercise interventionist * Receiving non-esophagectomy related chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy * Active infections, hemorrhages, and cytopenias that could place surgical patients at risk for further adverse events, deemed by the exercise interventionist, physician, and/or nurse
Where this trial is running
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Melanie Potiaumpai, PhD, MPH — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Cara Battistella, MA
- Email: battistellac@upmc.edu
- Phone: 412-353-9102
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.