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Impact of Prehabilitation in Oncology Via Exercise- Esophageal (IMPROVE-Esophageal)
Impact of Prehabilitation in Oncology Via Exercise- Esophageal
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women, age ≥ 18 years old * Diagnosed with esophageal cancer * Identified as esophagectomy surgery candidates at Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Shadyside, or UPMC Passavant * ≥ 2 weeks until scheduled esophagectomy * ECOG Performance Status Scale score of ≤ 2 * Ability to provide written informed consent * Ability to understand, speak, and read English. Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence in the medical record of an absolute contraindication for exercise (e.g., Heart insufficiency \> NYHA III or uncertain arrhythmia; uncontrolled hypertension; reduced standing or walking ability) * Any other comorbidities or musculoskeletal complications that preclude participation in the exercise programs as deemed by the exercise interventionist * Receiving non-esophagectomy related chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy * Active infections, hemorrhages, and cytopenias that could place surgical patients at risk for further adverse events, deemed by the exercise interventionist, physician, and/or nurse
About the study
The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of a prehabilitation exercise and nutrition program (exercise and nutrition before a medical treatment) in adults with esophageal cancer before surgery (esophagectomy). The pre-surgery exercise and nutrition program will include resistance and aerobic training and nutrition supplementation during the weeks before surgery. We will also assess pre-surgical care needs in adults with esophageal cancer. Researchers will compare the exercise and nutrition intervention to usual care- which is standard medical care and post-surgery surveillance/follow-up to understand the impact of exercise and nutrition before surgery. We will follow-up with participants before surgery, and after surgery at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 4-months at appointments that coincide with clinical follow-ups.
The main questions of this trials are:
* Is exercise and nutrition supplementation before surgery for esophageal cancer feasible and acceptable to patients? * How does exercise and nutrition supplementation before surgery change physical function and psychosocial health? * What are important pre-surgical needs for adults with esophageal cancer?
What is being tested
- Exercise and Nutrition (behavioral)
- Usual Care Group (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh · Participants: 20 · Started: Jul 16, 2025
Contact the study team
- Cara Battistella, MA · Phone: 412-353-9102
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06872515
Locations in the U.S.
| Pennsylvania | UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.