Elective surgery is the most effective treatment option for colorectal cancer, however it has been recognized to be associated with high morbidity and mortality risks.

ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) is a preoperative multimodality treatment package, which has been well investigated and proved to be effective in reducing early postoperative morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay and hospital costs, as well. Still, a good proportion of patients are not suitable for ERAS program, mainly based on lack of compliance and the impaired physical function before surgery.

Prehabilitation Program is a recently introduced trimodal preoperative preparation (training) program, which addresses improvement of physical, mental and nutritional status of the high risk elective surgery patients.

This study aims to investigate the benefit of all efforts of a 4-6-week preoperative preparation program (Prehabilitation) being added to an established ERAS protocol.

Aim:

Colorectal cancer patients with a planned resection are tested if a complex, trimodal rehabilitation program can hold functional and morbidity benefit for them.

In the prospective, randomized (1:1) study control patient group will be the well established and tested ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) Program.

Study protocol in details:

1. First visit: Outpatient Department of Surgery

   On both arms:

   • History taking (including family history and oncologic history);

   • Physical examination

   • Operation indication, type of procedure and date of procedure agreed;
   • Organizing further investigations, anesthesia;
   • Operative risk assessment ("ACS - surgical risk calculator");
   • Study patient identifier Nr generated;

2. Nurse-led ERAS/Prehab clinic: randomization

   On both arms:

   • Randomization (Prehabilitation Program / ERAS Program).

   • Nurse led clinic assessment ("study nurse"): .i. CaseReportForm (CRF) filled in.

   .ii. Patient data (personal data, demographics, history) .iii. Anthropometrics (BMI, MUST, Body fat % measurement). .iv. Mental hygienic status assessment (smoking, alcohol consumption, anxiety, depression, sleeping disorders).

   .v. Cardiovascular status (resting HR, RR). .vi. Operative risk assessment (CR-Possum score). .vii. Preoperative counseling (operation type, preparation, pain management, discharge plan).

   .viii. Preoperative nutritional planning (education, nutrient prescription). .ix. Alcohol intake and smoking cessation - information given. .x. Stoma education started. .xi. Consent signed, patient workbook handed over. .xii. Respiratory test referral.

3. Physiotherapy, first visit

   Both on control and interventional arms:

   • Respiratory function test recorded.
   • Physical status tested (6MWD) on a treadmill.

   Just on Prehabilitation arm:

   • Respiratory training education.

   • Respiratory trainer device usage educated.

   • Daily activity (walking) planned.

4. Physiotherapy - second/third/fourth visit (weekly)

   Just on Prehabilitation arm:

   • Previous week activity reviewed as to workbook.
   • Physical assessment: 6MWD, FVC.
   • Next week activity planned.

5. Psychic preparation

   Just on Prehabilitation arm:

   • Once a week half an hour group relaxation training - regardless of the stage of prehabilitation program.

6. Admission to the Surgical Ward a day before surgery

   Both on control and interventional arm:

   • Preoperative assessment: .i. Anthropometrics (BMI, body fat%). .ii. Cardiovascular stage (resting HR and RR), ECG. .iii. Respiratory function tests.

   .iv. Physical status (6MWD) .v. Mental status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)) assessment.

   • Preoperative preparation (as to ERAS protocol).

   • Postoperative care (ITU, pain management, mobilization, oral nutrition built up, drains early removal, complications recorded (Clavien-Dindo-classification)).

   • Stoma education.

   • Dietary education.
   • On discharge: Quality of Life (QoL) SF36 - (36-Item Short Form Survey from the RAND Medical Outcomes Study).

7. Postoperative follow up:

Both on control and interventional arms:

• Assessment (4th and 8th week post op.):

.i. Anthropometrics (BMI, Body fat %) .ii. Cardiovascular status (resting HR and RR). .iii. Respiratory function tests. .iv. Physical status (6MWD).

Inclusion Criteria:

• patient with histologically proven primary colorectal adenocarcinoma
• any stage of colorectal cancer
• elective operation
• curative intention
• informed consent signed by patient

Exclusion Criteria:

• emergency operation
• palliative operation
• non-colorectal, second malignancy
• pregnancy
• patient not giving consent

Investigators and assessors will be blinded regarding preoperative preparation. Both randomization process and rehabilitation process will be carried out by a trained nurse, physiotherapist and psychotherapist, neither of them will be involved in outcome assessment.