Findings seen for home-based exercise and nutrition program at least three weeks before surgery<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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THURSDAY, Dec. 11, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Prehabilitation can reduce disability after surgery in older adults with frailty, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in JAMA Surgery<\/em>.<\/p>\n Daniel I. McIsaac, M.D., from University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, and colleagues evaluated the effectiveness of offering coach-supported, home-based prehabilitation to older surgical patients with frailty. The analysis included 705 participants 60 years and older with frailty who underwent planned surgery and were assigned to either home-based prehabilitation focused on exercise and nutrition for at least three weeks before surgery (353 patients) or usual care (352 patients).<\/p>\n The researchers found that participants assigned to prehabilitation reported a mean postoperative disability score of 23.5 versus 24.7 for usual care (adjusted mean difference, \u22121.4; 97.5 percent confidence interval [CI], \u22124.9 to 2.0; P\u2009=\u20090.36). Complications were similar between the two groups (50.1 versus 47.7 percent; adjusted odds ratio, 1.05; 97.5% CI, 0.73 to 1.49; P\u2009=\u20090.78). Among prehabilitation participants completing >75 percent of prescribed exercises, disability scores were significantly lower (mean difference, \u22124.9; 97.5 percent CI, \u22129.8 to \u22120.01; P\u2009= 0.02). However, there was no significant difference in complications (odds ratio, 1.06; 97.5 percent CI, 0.67 to 1.67; P\u2009=\u20090.79). Competing priorities and motivation were the primary barriers to adherence.<\/p>\n “This study shows that older adults with frailty who have enough time before surgery, along with the internal and external support to fully engage in a prehab program, are likely to experience a better recovery and less disability after surgery,” McIsaac said in a statement. “The study also shows that we need to continue to optimize and integrate prehab programs so that everyone can fully participate and ultimately benefit.”<\/p>\n