Fit 4 Surgery: A Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A mixed-methods study exploring the efficacy of a personalised digital prehabilitation programme, Fit 4 Surgery (F4S), for patients undergoing major surgery: A feasibility study
IRAS ID
306274
Contact name
Babu Naidu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN10633072
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 3 days
Research summary
AIM
To test whether using a bespoke and personalised digital prehabilitation programme, Fit for Surgery (F4S), used at home over the weeks before and after surgery is acceptable to patients and whether a larger trial to evaluate the performance of the App in improving individual outcomes would be feasible.BACKGROUND
Over 50,000 patients per year in the UK undergo major chest or abdominal surgery. Complications are common after these operations, and may result in an increased risk of death, admission to intensive care and a longer hospital stay.Face-to-face exercise training programmes before and after surgery may result in fewer complications and quicker recovery. Access to this type of support is severely restricted especially in the pre and post surgery self-isolation mandated by COVID. The use of an App could provide immediate access to such tailored-training and empower patients as they control when, where and how they undertake exercise.
Our team has developed and already pilot-tested F4S app on patients undergoing lung surgery within the NHS. It contains short descriptive videos of each suggested exercise as well as educational advice based on well-tested rehabilitation programmes. A participant’s heart rate is actively recorded so they can track their progress on easy to read diagrams within F4S. This information advises them on the most appropriate intensity for each exercise. The information is also sent electronically to their clinician so that progress can be monitored.
PPIE
Both national research prioritisation groups and our local patient-led cancer support group have identified that our study area - the optimisation of physical fitness before undergoing surgery, is a major unmet research need. We have worked with local groups and our patient co-applicant to develop and refine F4S. Also, patients who participated in the previous small pilot study have also shared their experiences and helped further improve F4S.REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/WM/0135
Date of REC Opinion
17 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion