Acceptability and Feasibility of a Virtual Multimodal (P)Rehabilitation Programme for Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: The PRIORITY-CONNECT 2 Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Surgery is a mainstay of treatment for gastrointestinal cancers, yet it often leads to postoperative complications and poorer health outcomes. (P)rehabilitation may improve postoperative outcomes; however, optimal delivery modes remain unclear. Traditional face-to-face models may be inaccessible for patients in geographically dispersed countries. This pilot trial was designed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual multimodal (p)rehabilitation programme in patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Methods The PRIORITY-CONNECT 2 Pilot trial was a multicentre, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled feasibility pilot trial. Consenting adults scheduled for gastrointestinal cancer surgery were randomised 1:1 to receive a virtual multimodal (p)rehabilitation programme (up to 6 weeks preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively) plus usual care or usual care alone. The virtual hub provided specialised multidisciplinary care by a team that included a physiotherapist, psychologist, dietitian, specialist nurse, social worker, and geriatrician. Primary outcomes included intervention feasibility (in terms of uptake, retention, and adherence) and acceptability. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications within 30 days following surgery, health-related quality of life, and days at home within 30 and 90 days of surgery. Results We randomised 20 participants (intervention n = 11, control n = 9). Uptake among eligible participants was 65%, retention 95%, and adherence 74%. Overall satisfaction with the programme was high; 78% of respondents reported that they were either “satisfied” or “extremely satisfied.” Conclusions The results of this pilot trial demonstrate both feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. The full-scale PRIORITY-CONNECT 2 Trial will determine the effectiveness of a virtual multimodal (p)rehabilitation programme for patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. Trial registration This trial was registered prospectively with the National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT06212700) on 8th January 2024.