Clinical Report: Optimizing Patient Resilience: The Growing Role of Prehabilitation in Cancer Treatment
Overview
Prehabilitation is a systematic approach aimed at optimizing patients' physical, nutritional, and psychological conditions before cancer treatment. Evidence suggests that prehabilitation may reduce complications and improve recovery.
Background
Cancer treatments impose significant physiological and psychological stress on patients, making them vulnerable during critical periods. Prehabilitation has emerged as a strategy to enhance patients' resilience by addressing modifiable risk factors such as deconditioning and malnutrition. An international survey confirmed that prehabilitation is offered to all cancer patients in only 21% of hospitals.
Data Highlights
No specific numerical data provided in the source material.
Key Findings
Preoperative functional capacity is a strong predictor of postoperative outcomes across cancer types.
A 2022 umbrella review confirmed that prehabilitation may reduce complications and improve recovery.
The PREHAB trial showed that a four-week supervised multimodal program reduced severe postoperative complications.
The GISSG + 2201 trial demonstrated that two weeks of supervised home-based prehabilitation significantly reduced overall complication rates in frail patients.
The PREPARE trial found no significant improvement in disability scores or complication rates.
An international Delphi study identified key research priorities for prehabilitation.
Clinical Implications
Healthcare providers should consider implementing prehabilitation programs for high-risk patients.
Conclusion
Further research is needed to refine the implementation and effectiveness of prehabilitation.
