• J J Dronkers, H Lamberts, I M M D Reutelingsperger, R H Naber, C M Dronkers-Landman, A Veldman, and N L U van Meeteren.
• Gelderse Vallei Hospital, Department of Physiotherapy, PO Box 9025, 6710 HN Ede, The Netherlands. DronkersJ@zgv.nl
• Clin Rehabil. 2010 Jul 1;24(7):614-22.

ObjectiveInvestigation of the feasibility and preliminary effect of a short-term intensive preoperative exercise programme for elderly patients scheduled for elective abdominal oncological surgery.DesignSingle-blind randomized controlled pilot study.SettingOrdinary hospital in the Netherlands.SubjectsForty-two elderly patients (>60 years).InterventionsPatients were randomly assigned to receive a short-term intensive therapeutic exercise programme to improve muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and functional activities, given in the outpatient department (intervention group; n =22), or home-based exercise advice (control group; n=20).Main MeasuresParameters of feasibility, preoperative functional capacity and postoperative course.ResultsThe intensive training programme was feasible, with a high compliance and no adverse events. Respiratory muscle endurance increased in the preoperative period from 259 +/- 273 to 404 +/- 349 J in the intervention group and differed significantly from that in the control group (350 +/- 299 to 305 +/- 323 J; P<0.01). Timed-Up-and-Go, chair rise time, LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire, Physical Work Capacity and Quality of Life (EORTC-C30) did not reveal significant differences between the two groups. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications and length of hospital stay between the two groups.ConclusionThe intensive therapeutic exercise programme was feasible and improved the respiratory function of patients due to undergo elective abdominal surgery compared with home-based exercise advice.

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