Functional results of a prehabilitation program in elective colorectal cancer surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequent type of cancer in the world. Surgery is the most common therapeutic intervention and is associated with a 20-40% reduction in physiological and functional capacity. A prehabilitation program could improve the baseline functional condition of patients prior to surgery. Aim: To describe the functional results of a prehabilitation program in adults who will undergo elective surgery CCR. Materials and Method: Descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study. The sociodemographic, clinical and functional variables such as cardiorespiratory capacity, manual pressu-re force, fatigue, independence in activities of daily living and dynamic balance of 50 people who entered a pre-rehabilitation program between may 2019 and february 2020 were compiled. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and difference tests between evaluation time, before and after prehabilitation. Results: After the prehabilitation program, the patients improved cardiorespiratory capacity, fatigue, dynamic balance and grip strength (p < 0.05; effect size:-0.23, 0.28, 0.18, 0.03, respectively). There were no significant differences in the level of independence in activities of daily living (p > 0.05; effect size: 0.01). Conclusion: A structured prehabilitation program for patients who are candidates for elective colorectal cancer surgery based on exercises and education, achieved significant changes in functional results in a period of 3 to 4 weeks prior to surgery.