Short summary

Prehabilitation aims to enhance patients' resilience prior to a course of treatment, thereby reducing the severity of side effects and complications, as well as maintaining quality of life and functional ability. This feasibility study aims to develop, test, and evaluate a multicomponent prehabilitation intervention for men with prostate cancer referred for androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) followed by radiation therapy.

Rationale

This feasibility study aims to develop, test and evaluate a prehabilitation intervention targeting newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients and their close relatives, where androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and radiation therapy have been agreed upon as the course of treatment. In a Danish context, prehabilitation is described as interventions aimed at building resilience before treatment-e.g., through physical exercise and optimization of medical treatment-and takes place in the period between diagnosis and the start of treatment. However, the effects of prehabilitation for prostate cancer patients remain sparsely explored. With this project, we aim to develop a multicomponent, holistic prehabilitation intervention suitable for a Danish context, as well as to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, seen from the perspectives of patients, their relatives and healthcare professionals. Secondarily, we will examine the effect of the prehabilitation intervention on functional ability, symptoms, and quality of life.

Description of the cohort

Patients with prostate cancer (DC61.9), age ≥18 years, who are about to receive ADT and ratiation therapy at either Esjberg Hospital og Vejle Hospital. They are invited to bring a close relative (partner/family member/friend) to the prehabiliation intervention.

Data and biological material

Questionnaire data, physical tests (6 min walk test, 30 sec sit-to-stand test), height, weight, interview data (regarding acceptability and perceived relevance), patient record data (diagnosis, comorbidity, treatment), demografic data.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Dept. of Oncology, Vejle Hospital

• Chief physician Lars Ulrik Fokdal
• Chief physician Christine Vestergård Madsen
• Physician, PhD student Johanne Dam Lyhne

Dept. of Urology, Vejle Hospital

• Chief physician Bettina Nørby

Dept. of Urology, Esbjerg Hospital

• Attending physician, head of research Mads Hviid Aaberg Poulsen

Vejle Municipality

• Head of Dept. Ida Bhanderi

Esbjerg Municipality

• Head of Dept. Birgit Klockmann Jørgensen

REHPA, the Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care

• Professor, head of research Mette Raunkiær
• Head of REHPA research clinic Annette Rasmussen
• Clinical lead Anne Egelund Pedersen
• Administrative coordinator Patrick Hansen