PRIORITY-CONNECT 2: virtual prehabilitation and recovery support for people having colorectal cancer surgery
Virtual Multimodal Hub for Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Surgery - PRIORITY-CONNECT 2 Randomised Type I Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial
This trial tests whether a personalised virtual prehabilitation and recovery program with exercise, nutrition, and mental health support can lower 30-day complications for people having colorectal cancer surgery compared with usual care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 564 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe) Research network |
| Locations | 31 sites (Coffs Harbour, New South Wales and 30 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06976710 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
PRIORITY-CONNECT 2 is a pragmatic, randomised Type I hybrid effectiveness–implementation trial that compares an individualised, stepped multidisciplinary virtual (p)rehabilitation hub to usual care for patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery. Around 564 participants will be randomised to the virtual hub or usual care, with a second randomisation assigning intervention participants to one of two hub sites. The virtual intervention delivers tailored input from physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists, nurses, and social workers before and after surgery and can continue for up to 12 months depending on participant needs. The primary outcome is 30-day postoperative complications, with secondary outcomes including quality of life, days at home (DAH-30/90/365), quality of recovery, cost-effectiveness, and implementation metrics (RE-AIM).
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) scheduled for elective major colon or rectal cancer surgery with curative intent who are seen by their colorectal surgeon at least one week before the planned operation are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients undergoing pelvic exenteration, cytoreductive surgery (with or without HIPEC), concurrent surgery for metastatic disease, or those unable to give informed consent due to cognitive impairment are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could reduce 30-day postoperative complications, speed recovery, and increase days spent at home after colorectal cancer surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous prehabilitation programs combining exercise, nutrition, and psychological support have shown benefits for surgical recovery and complications, but fully virtual, stepped multidisciplinary hubs with embedded peer support are a newer model with limited trial evidence to date.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged ≥18 years undergoing elective major surgery for colon or rectal cancer with curative intent * Consulting with a colorectal cancer surgeon at least 1 week prior to scheduled surgery Exclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing Pelvic Exenteration (PE), Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) with or without HIPEC, or concurrent surgery for metastatic disease * Cognitive impairment such that they are unable to provide informed consent
Where this trial is running
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales and 30 other locations
- Coffs Harbour Health Campus — Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia (Recruiting)
- Calvary Mater Hospital — Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- John Hunter Hospital — Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Chris O'Brien Lifehouse — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Recruiting)
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Recruiting)
- Concord Repatriation General Hospital — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Westmead Hospital — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Blacktown Hospital — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Wagga Wagga Base Hospital — Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Wollongong Hospital — Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital — Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Princess Alexandra Hospital — Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital — Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Royal Adelaide Hospital — Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (Recruiting)
- Flinders Medical Centre — Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Modbury Hospital — Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (Recruiting)
- Lyell McEwin Hospital — Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (Recruiting)
- Grampians Health Ballarat Hospital — Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
- Bendigo Health — Bendigo, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University Hospital Geelong (Barwon Health) — Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
- Alfred Hospital — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Footscray Hospital — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Werribee Mercy Hospital — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Royal Melbourne Hospital — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- St Vincent's Melbourne Hospital — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Northern Hospital Epping — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Austin Hospital — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Eastern (Box Hill) Hospital — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Cabrini Hospital — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Royal Perth Hospital — Perth, Western Australia, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Daniel Steffens, PhD
- Email: Daniel.Steffens@health.nsw.gov.au
- Phone: +61 02 9515 3203
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.