Prehabilitation, also known as prehab, is gaining recognition for its potential to improve surgical outcomes. A recent study published in The BMJ highlights the benefits of prehab in reducing complications and shortening hospital stays while enhancing quality of life and physical recovery post-surgery.
The study, which is the largest of its kind, analyzed data from over 15,000 patients involved in 186 randomized controlled clinical trials worldwide. Various forms of prehab were examined, including exercise, nutritional support, psychological assistance, cognitive training, and combinations of these interventions. The results indicated that exercise and nutritional enhancement showed the most promising results in improving surgical outcomes.
Lead author Dr. Daniel McIsaac, a senior scientist at The Ottawa Hospital, emphasized the importance of prehabilitation for patients undergoing surgery. He highlighted the benefits of increasing activity levels and protein intake before surgery to facilitate a faster recovery process.
While the findings are promising, the researchers noted that most prehabilitation trials were conducted in single hospitals, raising questions about the generalizability of the results. Dr. McIsaac emphasized the need for further research to determine the most effective ways to implement prehab across different healthcare settings.
Physical fitness plays a crucial role in recovery after surgery, with fitter individuals often experiencing fewer complications and shorter recovery times. The concept of prehabilitation originated in the military as a way to improve the overall health and fitness of recruits. Over the years, prehab has evolved into a key area of research in healthcare, focusing on optimizing patient outcomes before surgery.
The Ottawa Hospital’s Aging Innovation In Perioperative Medicine & Surgery (AIMS) Research Group is currently conducting large multi-center prehab trials to further explore the benefits of prehabilitation. Patient engagement is a priority in these trials, ensuring that the results are relevant to patients and healthcare providers.
Patient partner Gurlie Kidd, who has undergone major surgery herself, emphasized the empowering nature of prehabilitation in preparing for surgery. She highlighted the importance of patients being actively involved in their prehab journey and expressed hope that prehab will become standard practice before all major surgeries in the future.
In conclusion, prehabilitation shows promise in improving surgical outcomes and enhancing patient recovery. As research in this field continues to grow, the focus remains on developing effective prehab strategies that can benefit a wide range of surgical patients, ultimately leading to improved healthcare outcomes.
