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Multimodal Prehabilitation: a Mini Review of Contemporary Research

  • PREHABILITATION (B RIEDEL and S JACK, SECTION EDITORS)
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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

Combining interventions into a multimodal prehabilitation approach is recommended to maximize benefits due to synergistic and cumulative effects of modalities. The purpose of this review was to (i) highlight the rationale for multimodal prehabilitation, (ii) summarize related contemporary literature, and (iii) discuss emerging modalities that may be combined into a comprehensive, personalized prehabilitation program.

Recent Findings

Our systematic search of multimodal prehabilitation literature over the past 5 years yielded 11 studies: five randomized controlled trials, four systematic reviews, and two meta-analyses. These studies included multimodal prehabilitation prior to major abdominal and cancer surgeries and have demonstrated benefits pre, peri-, and postoperatively. Evidence directly comparing unimodal and multimodal prehabilitation remains limited.

Summary

Multimodal prehabilitation has demonstrated benefits for patients undergoing major abdominal and cancer surgeries. Research is needed on the specific value of combining modalities, multimodal approaches in other treatment settings, and further personalization of prehabilitation to meet the unique needs of patients.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, 55 Harbord St., Toronto, ON, M5S 2W6, Canada

    Priya Brahmbhatt & Daniel Santa Mina

  2. Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Priya Brahmbhatt, Ian M. Randall & Daniel Santa Mina

  3. Department of Anesthesia, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Enrico M. Minnella

  4. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy

    Enrico M. Minnella

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  1. Priya Brahmbhatt
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Correspondence to Daniel Santa Mina.

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Brahmbhatt, P., Minnella, E.M., Randall, I.M. et al. Multimodal Prehabilitation: a Mini Review of Contemporary Research. Curr Anesthesiol Rep 12, 99–108 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-021-00490-1

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