Nurse-Led Exercise and Nutrition Program Before Major Abdominal Cancer Surgery
Tests whether a nurse-led program before surgery reduces complications in adults with colorectal cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Nurse-Led Prehabilitation Before Major Abdominal Cancer Surgery
Key facts
- Where
- Alexandria, EgyptSee the site
Where in Egypt
- Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria UniversityAlexandria, EgyptNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Alexandria University
- Trial code
- NCT07922642
- Record updated
- 6 November 2026
- Original description
Many people who have major planned surgery for abdominal cancer develop complications afterwards, which can prolong hospital stay and slow recovery. This study tests whether a four-week program led by a trained oncology nurse, started before surgery, reduces these complications. The program combines supervised and home exercise (walking, resistance and breathing exercises), nutrition counseling with protein targets and supplements when needed, education and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety, and advice on stopping smoking and alcohol. Adults at one hospital will be randomly assigned, in equal numbers, to the program plus usual care or to usual care alone; 104 participants are planned. The main outcome is the Comprehensive Complication Index, a score from 0 to 100 that combines all complications within 30 days after surgery, graded by an assessor who does not know the group. Other outcomes include serious complications, distance walked in six minutes, quality of life, length of hospital stay, hospital readmission, time to first getting out of bed, and adherence to the program. In a qualitative part, 12 to 15 participants from the program group will be interviewed about their experiences, barriers and acceptability. Results from both parts will be combined to interpret the findings.Read full original descriptionShow less
Effect of a Nurse-Led Multimodal Prehabilitation Program on Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Major Elective Abdominal Cancer Surgery: A Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial
Many people who have major planned surgery for abdominal cancer develop complications afterwards, which can prolong hospital stay and slow recovery. This study tests whether a four-week program led by a trained oncology nurse, started before surgery, reduces these complications. The program combines supervised and home exercise (walking, resistance and breathing exercises), nutrition counseling with protein targets and supplements when needed, education and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety, and advice on stopping smoking and alcohol. Adults at one hospital will be randomly assigned, in equal numbers, to the program plus usual care or to usual care alone; 104 participants are planned. The main outcome is the Comprehensive Complication Index, a score from 0 to 100 that combines all complications within 30 days after surgery, graded by an assessor who does not know the group. Other outcomes include serious complications, distance walked in six minutes, quality of life, length of hospital stay, hospital readmission, time to first getting out of bed, and adherence to the program. In a qualitative part, 12 to 15 participants from the program group will be interviewed about their experiences, barriers and acceptability. Results from both parts will be combined to interpret the findings.
Inclusion: Adults aged 18 years or older; Histologically confirmed or suspected abdominal cancer (colorectal, gastric, pancreatic or hepatobiliary, or other major abdominal resection); Scheduled for elective major open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery, with at least 3 weeks between enrollment and the planned surgery date; ECOG performance status 0 to 2; Able to give written informed consent and communicate in Arabic.
Exclusion: Emergency or urgent surgery; Unstable cardiac or respiratory disease, or any medical contraindication to exercise as judged by the treating physician; Severe musculoskeletal or neurological condition preventing walking; Cognitive impairment that prevents following the program or completing questionnaires; Already participating in a structured exercise program.