NEOREHAB – helping more people access life-saving surgery

That’s what the researchers behind a new study in Leeds and Hull want to find out. They will explore whether a ‘prehabilitation’ programme of physical activity and nutrition and lifestyle support can improve fitness and wellbeing for people receiving chemoimmunotherapy, enabling more to have surgery and recover well afterwards.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is funding the £280,000 clinical trial called NEOREHAB. Led by experts at the University of Hull and Hull York Medical School, the study will look at whether exercise during treatment can help more people go on to have life-saving surgery.

The study will benefit eligible people receiving lung cancer treatment in Leeds and the Humber.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Yorkshire. Each year, nearly 5,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the region, and nearly 40,000 life years are lost.  

Sadly, one in five people who start a new NHS-approved chemo-immunotherapy treatment before surgery are ultimately unable to undergo surgery, significantly affecting their survival.

Existing research in other settings shows that exercise before surgery can increase access to previously unsuitable treatments, lead to fewer complications from surgery and reduce the number of days people spend recovering in hospital. 

Dr Cecilia Pompili, a thoracic surgeon and Clinical Senior Lecturer in Psychosocial Oncology at the University of Hull said: “There is a limited timeframe for exercise before surgery, and this means people need fast access to programmes and high motivation to both start exercise quickly and continue to follow their fitness programmes. 

“The NEOREHAB study will explore whether tailored exercise support could help more people receiving the chemo-immunotherapy treatment stay fit enough for life-saving surgery.”

The NEOREHAB study will be designed to fit around people’s lives and treatment schedules, combining in-person support with home-based exercises.

An exercise specialist will work with people during their cancer treatment to understand their fitness levels and provide personalised support to help them stay active and well.

Participants will also share information about their quality of life and symptoms before, during and after treatment. Some will take part in interviews to help researchers understand what it’s like to join the programme and make decisions about their care. 

*NHS Humber Health Partnership is the collective name for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust working in partnership.