Prehab for Pancreatic Cancer Surgery
Multimodal Prehabilitation Prior to Pancreatic Cancer Surgery: A Pilot Study
University of Massachusetts, Worcester
20 participants
Mar 31, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical study is to test whether a structured prehabilitation program can be successfully used by adults with pancreatic cancer who are receiving chemotherapy before planned surgery. Prehabilitation is a program designed to improve a person's physical fitness, nutrition, and symptom control before surgery. The study's main hypothesis is that patients with pancreatic cancer can take part in and adhere to a multimodal prehabilitation program during chemotherapy, and that doing so may improve physical function, patient experience, and early recovery after surgery.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
- Planned neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to planned surgical resection
- Medically stable and cleared to participate in physical activity/exercise programming
- Able to provide informed consent
- Ability to read, write and understand English
Exclusion Criteria5
- Age \<18 years
- Pregnant
- Prisoner
- Severe cognitive impairment that precludes informed consent or participation
- Contraindications to physical activity, including unstable cardiac disease, severe pulmonary disease, or recent myocardial infarction
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Interventions
Participants will receive a structured, multimodal prehabilitation program delivered during neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to planned pancreatic cancer surgery. The program integrates supervised, individualized exercise training, nutritional assessment and counseling with recommended preoperative immunonutrition, and supportive care focused on symptom management and functional support. Prehabilitation is delivered as an integrated component of preoperative care and continues through completion of neoadjuvant therapy until surgery.
Locations(1)
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NCT07478185