Intervention for Pre-Frailty and Frailty in Thoracic Surgery Patients

Intervention for Pre-Frailty and Frailty in Thoracic Surgery Patients

Frailty has been associated with poor acute and long-term outcomes after major surgery. We recently determined that nearly 70% of patients undergoing major thoracic surgery are pre-frail or frail. We are interested in assessing whether a strength training intervention for frail or pre-frail patients has an impact on surgical decision making and on surgical outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria: • Age ≥60 years, • Qualified to consent for participation in a research study, •Thoracic disease that may require major surgery (major anatomic lung resection, esophagectomy, repair of giant paraesophageal hernia, chest wall resection, extended pleurectomy/decortication, thymectomy or major surgery for other mediastinal process),• No obvious contraindications to surgery (end-stage heart disease, end-stage lung disease, severe dementia, other specific comorbidity that would prevent surgery), • Ability to participate in physical therapy and an independent exercise program for frailty mitigation, •No need for induction chemotherapy or radiation therapy, • Recent evaluation including computed tomography of the chest or chest/abdomen.

Exclusion Criteria:• Age <60 years, •Unable to provide informed consent, • No indication for major thoracic surgery, •Obvious contraindication to major thoracic surgery (end-stage heart disease, end-stage lung disease, severe dementia, other specific comorbidity that would preclude surgery),• Inability to participate in physical therapy and/or an independent home exercise for frailty mitigation, •Need for induction chemotherapy or radiation therapy