Search Results (4)

Background/Objectives: Hip and knee arthroplasty relieves pain, restores mobility, and improves function in severe joint damage, though pain and strength loss may persist post-surgery. Better pre-surgery function and activity predict improved arthroplasty outcomes. Prehabilitation programs enhance functional abilities, reducing hospitalization duration, and lowering peri-surgery complication risks. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of four weeks of different modalities of tele-home-prehabilitation programs on perceived pain and functional capacity in patients who are eligible for hip or knee arthroplasty. Methods: Forty-four patients (aged 65–80 years) eligible for elective lower limb arthroplasty were enrolled in the present randomized controlled trial study. Participants were randomly assigned to the Electrostimulation Group (EG) or the Home-Based Exercise Group (HG). The EG performed underwent teleprehabilitation program using indirect neuromuscular electrostimulation therapy, while the HG performed home-based exercise supervised by a sports specialist. Functional capacity was assessed with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the 30 s Chair Stand test (30CST) and the Six-Minute Walking Test (6MWT). Quality of life was assessed with the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) or Oxford Knee Score (OKS), depending on the participants’ surgery. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire was completed by the EG after the intervention. Results: No significant differences were found among groups in the 30CST and TUG tests. The analyses revealed significant differences for the Oxford Questionnaires and 6MWT. Conclusions: Our study highlights the potential of teleprehabilitation using indirect neuromuscular electrostimulation to improve walking autonomy and quality of life of individuals who are candidates for lower limb arthroplasty. Full article

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide, and advances in early detection and treatment have significantly increased survival rates. However, people living beyond breast cancer often suffer from late sequelae, negatively impacting their quality of life. Prehabilitation, focusing on the period prior to surgery, is a unique opportunity to enhance oncology care by preparing patients for the upcoming oncological treatment and rehabilitation. This article provides a clinical perspective on a patient-centered teleprehabilitation program tailored to individuals undergoing primary breast cancer surgery. The proposed multimodal program includes three key components: patient education, stress management, and physical activity promotion. Additionally, motivational interviewing is used to tailor counseling to individual needs. The proposed approach aims to bridge the gap between diagnosis and oncological treatment and provides a holistic preparation for surgery and postoperative rehabilitation in breast cancer patients. The aim of this preparation pertains to improving mental and physical resilience. By integrating current evidence and patient-centered practices, this article highlights the potential for teleprehabilitation to transform clinical care for breast cancer patients, addressing both logistical challenges and holistic well-being. Full article

Background: Tele-prehabilitation is a behaviour change intervention that facilities the modification of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. Understanding patients’ experiences of tele-prehabilitation provides important insights into service improvement. In this study, we aimed to describe our patients’ perceptions of tele-prehabilitation and capture their capabilities, opportunities, and motivations to participate. This was a qualitative study to inform our service design and delivery. Methods: Following purposive sampling, 22 qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with patients in the community that had completed tele-prehabilitation. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Deductive content analysis was used to map the identified themes against theoretical determinants of health behaviour change. Results: We conducted 22 interviews. Our patients described their overall experience of tele-prehabilitation as positive and provided important insights that impacted their capabilities, opportunities, and motivations to engage with our service. Our team provided them the capabilities and self-efficacy to engage by personalising multimodal plans and setting goals. The remote delivery of our service was a recurring positive theme in providing flexibility and widening accessibility to participation. A missed opportunity was the potential for peer support through shared experiences with other patients. Patients showed greater motivation to participate for immediate perioperative benefit compared to long-term health gains. Conclusion: Patients’ experiences and perspectives of tele-prehabilitation can be enhanced by incorporating the findings from this qualitative study into service redesign and delivery. We recommend: (1) applying holistic principles in care and goal-setting, (2) delivering a combination of home-based and in-centre programmes, and (3) engaging with patients at the start of their cancer journey when they are most motivated. In turn, this can result in more effective uptake, improve adherence to interventions, and greater satisfaction. Full article

Tele-rehabilitation provides better access to healthcare services and optimizes exercise adherence. However, its feasibility and effectiveness are unknown in the preoperative period in esophagogastric cancer patients. We aimed to assess the feasibility and the preliminary effects of a “tele-prehabilitation” program in esophagogastric cancer patients requiring surgery. Enrolled participants performed an internet-based tele-prehabilitation including aerobic, resistance and inspiratory muscle training over 2–4 weeks. The primary outcome was feasibility, measured in terms of recruitment, retention and attendance rates, adverse events and patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes (functional exercise capacity, fatigue, quality of life, anxiety and depression) were assessed at baseline, presurgery, and 4 and 12 weeks postsurgery. Among the 24 eligible subjects, 23 were enrolled, 22 performed the intervention and 15 completed the study. Recruitment and retention rates were both 96%. Attendances to aerobic and resistance sessions and inspiratory muscle training were 77% and 68%, respectively. No adverse events occurred, and the satisfaction was excellent. After prehabilitation, participants significantly improved fatigue (p = 0.039), quality of life (p = 0.009), physical well-being (p = 0.034), emotional well-being (p = 0.005) and anxiety (p = 0.044). This study demonstrated the feasibility of a tele-prehabilitation in esophagogastric cancer patients undergoing surgery, with a high recruitment rate, retention rate and satisfaction, a good attendance to exercise sessions and no exercise-related adverse events. Full article