What we do
About our project
Background
In patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer or liver cancer, (major) surgery is the standard of care. Nevertheless, surgery may result in complications that have a substantial impact on the physical and psychological state of the patient. Detrimental postoperative outcomes are influenced by unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and malnutrition. Prehabilitation programs focusing on these lifestyle aspects have been suggested as a promising intervention to improve pre- and postoperative outcomes.
Objective
In this pilot project we aim to evaluate the feasibility (main aim) and effectiveness (secondary aim) of a prehabilitation program with physical, nutritional, and psychosocial components for patients scheduled for surgery after a diagnosis of head and neck or liver cancer.
In patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer or liver cancer, (major) surgery is the standard of care. Nevertheless, surgery may result in complications that have a substantial impact on the physical and psychological state of the patient. Detrimental postoperative outcomes are influenced by unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and malnutrition. Prehabilitation programs focusing on these lifestyle aspects have been suggested as a promising intervention to improve pre- and postoperative outcomes.
Objective
In this pilot project we aim to evaluate the feasibility (main aim) and effectiveness (secondary aim) of a prehabilitation program with physical, nutritional, and psychosocial components for patients scheduled for surgery after a diagnosis of head and neck or liver cancer.
Our research focus
Primary outcomes
Feasibility of the prehabilitation program:
- Program satisfaction
- Program compliance
- Percentage of patients willing to participate in the prehabilitation program
Secondary outcomes
Effectiveness of the prehabilitation program
- Post-operative outcomes (length of hospital stay, complications, readmission rate)
- Physical activity level
- Physical fitness
- Nutritional status
- Body composition
- Health status
- Frailty
- Anxiety and Depression
- Self-efficacy
Collaborations
Erasmus MC
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
- Department of HPB and Transplantation Surgery
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
Outside Erasmus MC
- Rijndam Revalidatie
- Capri Hartrevalidatie
Our team
Dr. N ter Hoeve
L.P.M. Beuk
Dr. R.F. de Wilde
Dr. A Sewnaik
Prof. Dr. G.R. Ribbers
Prof. Dr. J.N.M. IJzermands
Prof. Dr. B. Kremer
Contact us
N. ter Hoeve: n.terhoeve@erasmusmc.nl
