• Brian P Chen, Rashami Awasthi, Shane N Sweet, Enrico M Minnella, Andreas Bergdahl, Santa Mina Daniel D Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. , Francesco Carli, and Celena Scheede-Bergdahl.
• Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H2W 1S4, Canada.
• Support Care Cancer. 2017 Jan 1; 25 (1): 33-40.

PurposeHigh complication rates following colorectal surgery render many patients unable to fully regain functional capacity, thus seriously compromising quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess whether a 4-week trimodal prehabilitation program (exercise, nutritional supplementation, and counseling on relaxation techniques), implemented during the preoperative period, is sufficient to modify exercise behaviors and improve functional capacity of elderly patients scheduled for colorectal cancer surgery.MethodsPatients were assigned to either a prehabilitation (PREHAB; n = 57) or matched time control group (CTRL; n = 59). Over the 4-week period prior to surgery, patients in PREHAB participated in a trimodal prehabilitation program. Patients in CTRL received the same program but only postoperatively. The Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire was used to measure physical activity levels, while the 6-min walk test (6MWT) was used for assessment of functional walking capacity. Measurements were collected at baseline and at the time of surgery.ResultsOver the preoperative period, patients in PREHAB significantly increased the amount of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activities that they performed. PREHAB patients also demonstrated a greater improvement in 6MWT compared to CTRL. At the time of surgery, a greater proportion of patients in PREHAB met current physical activity guidelines, as compared to CTRL.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the positive effects of a trimodal prehabilitation program on patients' physical activity levels and functional walking capacity and demonstrate that modifying exercise behaviors and improving physical function within the 4-week preoperative period are an achievable goal.

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