Pilot Study of a Prehabilitation Program Using Apple Watch and Exercise Flipbook for Adults Undergoing Elective Thoracic Surgery to Improve Function and Outcomes

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to implement and evaluate a prehabilitation prehab program for adults who are pre-frail or frail and need thoracic surgery. Frailty, which involves reduced strength, endurance, and physiological function, is common in about 70% of thoracic surgery patients and is linked to higher risks such as complications and longer hospital stays. The study will use the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance RE-AIM framework to assess how well the prehab program reaches and benefits patients. Participants will take part in a prehab program for 2 to 12 weeks before their elective inpatient thoracic surgery. The program includes using an Apple Watch Series 6 and an exercise flipbook to encourage and track exercise. The device will help medical professionals monitor patients pre-surgery condition and support patient engagement with the exercises through reminders and notifications. During the study, participants will complete surveys at several points 2-3 weeks, 2 months, 3-4 months, and 6 months after surgery. Researchers will measure changes in functional status using the RE-AIM framework, along with clinical outcomes such as postoperative complications, hospital stay length, and discharge destination. The study follow-up lasts up to 6 months post-surgery to track these outcomes and the maintenance of benefits.

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