Prehabilitation Program May Benefit Patients Undergoing CRC Surgery
Structured implementation increased participation and improved preoperative fitness, while postoperative complication and mortality rates remained similar across groups.
By
Andrea Surnit
June 25, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Prehabilitation Program May Benefit Patients Undergoing CRC Surgery
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Colorectal Cancer Surgery Key Mechanisms Standardized multimodal prehabilitation program Target Population Patients undergoing elective surgical resection for primary colorectal cancer Care Setting Elective surgical care
Key Highlights
Participation in prehabilitation increased from 40% to 59% after standardization. Median postoperative hospital stay decreased from 4 days to 3 days. Complication rates and 90-day mortality were similar between prehabilitation and non-prehabilitation groups. Physical fitness measures improved among patients who participated in physiotherapy. Referral documentation improved from 44% to 67%. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Management
Implement a standardized multimodal prehabilitation program prior to surgery. Monitoring & Follow-up
Evaluate participation and outcomes of prehabilitation programs. Risks
Consider patient-specific factors such as physical fitness and comorbidities when referring for prehabilitation. Patient & Prescribing Data
Patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery, particularly high-risk patients.
Standardized prehabilitation may improve participation and outcomes.
Clinical Best Practices
Standardize prehabilitation protocols to enhance patient participation. Document referral decisions and rationales to improve transparency. Related Resources & Content
