Get Fit for Function Pilot Study

Approximately 70% of thoracic surgery patients are pre-frail or frail, characterized by reduced strength, endurance, and physiologic function. Frailty is associated with poor perioperative outcomes, including increased complications, length of stay, post-discharge institutionalization, healthcare costs, and mortality. As a result, surgical and geriatric clinical societies now recommend including a frailty assessment in older adult pre-operative surgical evaluations. To mitigate the risks associated with frailty, prehabilitation (prehab) has been included as a component of the American College of Surgeons "Strong for Surgery" quality initiative. Evidence-based practices to optimize preoperative health have been shown to improve physical conditioning and return to autonomy, as well as, reduce length of stay, postoperative complications, and healthcare costs. Older patients who need surgery view prehab favorably, particularly if it is home-based, recommended by a medical professional, and free. The primary objective will be to conduct a feasibility evaluation using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. The secondary objectives will be to measure functional status and clinical outcomes longitudinally in patients undergoing prehab.

Participants will receive the prehab program from 2-12 weeks prior to undergoing elective inpatient thoracic surgery. Participants will complete surveys at 2-3 weeks, 2 months, 3-4 months, and 6 months after surgery.