Prehabilitation in Patients With Esophageal or Gastric Cancers

Prehabilitation in Patients With Esophageal or Gastric Cancers

Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of a internet-based preoperative exercise program in patients with esophageal or gastric cancers. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the effects of this preoperative program on functional capacity, anxiety and depression, quality of life and fatigue Methods: This feasibility study will be conduct at University Hospital Saint-Luc in Brussels. Twenty patients with esophageal or gastric cancers will participate in internet-based program 3 sessions per week. Each session will combine aerobic and resistance training. Moreover, inspiratory muscle strengthening (IMT) will be performed daily. The researcher will conduct weekly telephone calls to educate and motivate subjects. Assessments will be performed at baseline, one day before surgery, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. The following parameters will be measured: functional capacity, quality of life, fatigue, anxiety and depression.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of esophageal cancer or gastric cancer requiring surgery
• More than 18 years
• Able to read, write and understand French or English
• Time before surgery > 2 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• Surgical emergency
• Cognitive or neuropsychiatric diseases
• Neuromuscular or orthopedic disorders limiting exercises
• Cardiopulmonary disease contraindicating exercises