Back to search results

The PROPEL Trial: Preoperative Exercise and Nutrition for Rectal Cancer

This study, called the PROPEL Trial, is looking at whether a special program before surgery can help people with stage II or III rectal cancer. This program, called a Prehabilitation Program, includes nutritional support (multivitamin and protein shakes) and virtual exercise sessions with experts. You could be eligible if you are 18 or older, speak English, and are undergoing treatment like chemotherapy or radiation before surgery for rectal cancer. The main goal is to see if this program is practical and can be successfully implemented. About 40 people are expected to join this study, which is currently unclear if it's recruiting.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled trial, meaning participants are assigned by chance to either the Prehabilitation Program or usual care. It is not blinded, so both you and the study team will know which group you are in. About 40 people will participate.
What's involved
Research study procedures include screening for eligibility, in-clinic visits, physical exams, exercise training, blood tests, and questionnaires.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint, Enrollment Rate, is measured at Baseline. Other follow-up information is not specified.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06565052

The Impact of PReOPerative Exercise and NutritionaL Optimization on Perioperative Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Treatment for Rectal Cancer: The PROPEL Trial

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalSupportive care
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
~40 participants
Updated 2025-11-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Prehabilitation Program

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Enrollment Rate
Measured over Baseline

Conditions

Rectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Rectal Cancer Stage II
Rectal Cancer Stage III

Explore related trials

Rectal Carcinoma

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts2

Study leadership

  • Jeffrey Meyerhardt, MD, MPH · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Who to contact

Jeffrey Meyerhardt, MD, MPH
[email protected]
617-632-6855
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age greater than or equal to 18 years at time of enrollment.
English-Speaking.
Diagnosis of clinical stage II-III rectal cancer.
Planned, ongoing or just completed neoadjuvant treatment, including either 1) chemoradiation, 2) total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), or 3) chemotherapy only; and anticipated surgical resection to follow.
Able to understand the study procedures, agree to participate in the study program, and voluntarily provide informed consent.

Exclusion

Distant metastatic disease known at the time of diagnosis.
Functional incapacity (i.e., incapable of performing exercise testing).
Comorbid conditions or cognitive/physical impairments that contraindicate exercise.
Currently undergoing treatment for a secondary primary tumor, in addition to primary rectal cancer.
Currently enrolled in a separate clinical trial that would prohibit them from performing the tasks instructed in this trial.
Currently participating in more than 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week over the past month. This study targets insufficiently active persons to assess the effect of the described intervention, where additional exercise done regularly will contaminate the intervention effects.

What this trial measures

  • Enrollment RateBaseline

    The proportion of eligible individuals that are enrolled to the study. Feasibility of the intervention is defined as an enrollment rate of greater than 10% of approached, eligible participants.