Prehabilitation programs — structured exercise, nutrition and other support provided before surgery to improve health — can reduce postoperative complications by almost half and shorten hospital stays by 11%, a recent review suggests. The review included 23 randomized controlled trials involving more than 2,100 individuals who participated in prehabilitation programs.

Those who participated in exercise-based programs had a 55% lower chance of complications compared with standard care. Exercise programs were also linked to better overall well-being and daily functioning. These types of programs included strength or interval training and lasted from two weeks to six months.

In contrast, nutrition-based programs had a more significant impact on hospital stays, reducing time spent in the hospital by about 14% compared with standard care. These programs typically lasted from five days to two weeks and often included specialized nutritional supplements designed to support the immune system and recovery.

The type of surgery may have influenced which approach was more effective, according to the authors. Exercise-based programs were most often used in orthopedic cases, whereas nutrition-based programs were primarily used in gastrointestinal and cardiac surgeries. Both programs can improve recovery after surgery, but more research is needed to determine which type is best for individuals and their specific surgery.

Nevertheless, said senior author Justine Lee, MD, PhD, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, "These findings support the value of prehabilitation programs in optimizing health for patients, especially those who are at high risk of facing complications or who may benefit from extra support before undergoing surgery."

To download the study, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, click here