Supervised Home-Based Exercise Intervention in Colorectal Cancer Patients Following Surgery: A Feasibility Study

Eleonora Latini (), Attilio Parisi, Claudia Cerulli, Elisa Grazioli, Eliana Tranchita, Arianna Murri, Paolo Mercantini, Alessio Lucarini, Marcello Gasparrini, Lorenzo Ridola, Luca Tagliente, Flavia Santoboni, Donatella Trischitta, Mario Vetrano, Vincenzo Visco, Maria Chiara Vulpiani and Sveva Maria Nusca
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Eleonora Latini: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Attilio Parisi: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Claudia Cerulli: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Elisa Grazioli: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Eliana Tranchita: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Arianna Murri: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Paolo Mercantini: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital,“Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Alessio Lucarini: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital,“Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Marcello Gasparrini: Department of General Surgery, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Lorenzo Ridola: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Luca Tagliente: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Flavia Santoboni: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Donatella Trischitta: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Mario Vetrano: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Vincenzo Visco: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Maria Chiara Vulpiani: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Sveva Maria Nusca: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 4, 1-27

Abstract: This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of a supervised, home-based exercise program in patients recovering from laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. A total of 23 patients were included, with 13 participating in the exercise intervention and 10 receiving standard postoperative care. The exercise group (intervention group) followed a two-month structured program, while the control group received no structured exercise. Feasibility was demonstrated by 98% adherence in the intervention group and no reported adverse events. At T1, the intervention group showed significant improvements in role function, cognitive function, and reduced fatigue compared to the control group. At T2, a significant difference was observed in physical function. Functional capacity, assessed by the Six-Minute Walk Test, was significantly better in the intervention group at T1, T2, and T3, as was physical performance measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at T1, T2, and T3. No significant differences were observed between the groups in anxiety, depression, sleep quality, or body composition parameters. This study highlights the feasibility of a supervised home-based exercise program in the early postoperative phase, demonstrating positive effects on Quality of Life, functional recovery, and fatigue in colorectal cancer patients.

Keywords: post-operative rehabilitation; colorectal surgery; oncological rehabilitation; physical exercise; combined exercise; supervised exercise; Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS); quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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