PrehabPal: A Digital Tool to Help Older Adults Prepare for Cancer Surgery

PrehabPal: A Digital Tool to Help Frail Elders Prepare for Cancer Surgery

This is a multi-center, randomized trial investigating the use of PrehabPal web app versus a written surgery prehabilitation instructions among individuals aged 65 years and older preparing for colon cancer surgery. PrehabPal is a web app designed with, and for, older adults preparing for surgery at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). This app has the potential to fill a crucial clinical gap for older cancer patients by designing an individualized prehabilitation program and providing prehabilitation coaching.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. Determine the effectiveness of PrehabPal in delivering prehabilitation and improving outcomes for elders who undergo colorectal cancer surgery.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Determine the impact of PrehabPal on surgical outcomes and functional recovery compared to standard written surgery prehabilitation materials.

OUTLINE:

Participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 conditions. Study participation will continue for up to 12 weeks, with intervention 7-21 days before surgery and a follow-up visit 8 weeks after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female >=65 years of age at time of evaluation for colorectal cancer resection.

2. Documentation of a colorectal diagnosis as evidenced by the following criteria:

   a. Biopsy proven colorectal cancer or unresectable neoplastic polyp.

3. Written informed consent (and assent when applicable) obtained from subject or subject's legal representative and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study.

4. Self-reported access to the Internet.

5. Participant has at least seven days prior to surgery date to optimize for surgery.

6. English language proficient.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. No English language proficiency.
2. No Internet access.
3. Documented diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
4. Surgery scheduled within 7-days.
5. Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the patient or the quality of the data.