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. 2024 Oct 8;32(10):710.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-024-08915-3.

Nutritional intervention during a teleprehabilitation pilot study in high-risk patients with colorectal cancer: adherence, motivators, and barriers

K Beukers  1   2   3 , R F W Franssen  4   5   6 , K Beijaard  7 , A J van de Wouw  8 , R C Havermans  9 , M L G Janssen-Heijnen  4   5
Affiliations

Nutritional intervention during a teleprehabilitation pilot study in high-risk patients with colorectal cancer: adherence, motivators, and barriers

K Beukers et al. Support Care Cancer. .

Abstract

Purpose: The preoperative period provides a window of opportunity to improve modifiable risk factors for treatment complications such as malnutrition, the so-called prehabilitation. Identifying factors related to adherence to nutritional interventions is essential for optimizing prehabilitation programs. The aim of this study is to evaluate a nutritional support module as part of a teleprehabilitation program in high-risk patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: A secondary analysis with a mixed method design of the nutritional support module of a pre-post teleprehabilitation pilot study was performed. Change in weight, complaints with intake, motivation, and subjective and objective adherence were evaluated.

Results: Eleven patients were included. Subjectively, six patients (55%) were able to adhere to the nutritional advice. Despite that, nine of eleven (82%) patients experienced difficulties with the amount of food that was advised by the dietician. Six of eleven (55%) patients gained weight during the prehabilitation program. After prehabilitation, nine of eleven (82%) were able to reach 100% of their energy requirement and six of eleven (55%) were able to reach 100% of their protein requirement. Differences between patients in motivation and/or having complaints did not seem to be associated with protein and energy intake.

Conclusion: This secondary analysis of a pilot study provides insights into understanding patients' experiences with a nutritional support module as part of a teleprehabilitation program. With 82% of patients who were able to reach 100% of their energy requirement, teleprehabilitation seems to be feasible, while there is still room for improvement with respect to protein intake as only 55% of patients reached a sufficient intake.

Keywords: Adherence; Colorectal cancer; Nutrition; Prehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Energy/protein intake (% of requirement) and motivation (VAS score) per patient with complaints (patients 1, 5, 10, 11) and without complaints (patients 2–4, 6–9) before prehabilitation (T0)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Energy/protein intake (% of requirement) and motivation (VAS score) per patient with complaints (patients 1, 5, 10, 11) and without complaints (patients 2–4, 6–9) after prehabilitation (T2)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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