Multi-modal prehabilitation: addressing the why, when, what, how, who and where next?

Abstract

Just as there is growing interest in enhancing recovery after surgery, prehabilitation is becoming a recognised means of preparing the patient physically for their operation and/or subsequent treatment. Exercise training is an important stimulus for improving low cardiovascular fitness and preserving lean muscle mass, which are critical factors in how well the patient recovers from surgery. Despite the usual focus on exercise, it is important to recognise the contribution of nutritional optimisation and psychological wellbeing for both the adherence and the response to the physical training stimulus. This article reviews the importance of a multi-modal approach to prehabilitation in order to maximise its impact in the pre-surgical period, as well as critical future steps in its development and integration in the healthcare system.

Keywords: cancer: colorectal; pre-surgery: intervention; prehabilitation: multi-modal.