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IMPROVE-Esophageal: Exercise and Nutrition Before Esophageal Cancer Surgery

This study, called IMPROVE-Esophageal, is looking at how helpful an exercise and nutrition program (called "prehabilitation") is for adults with esophageal cancer before they have surgery (esophagectomy). The program involves personalized resistance and aerobic training 3-5 times a week, plus nutrition support, for up to 8 weeks before surgery. Researchers want to see if this program is acceptable, if people stick with it, and if it's practical to offer. You might receive this exercise and nutrition program, or you might receive usual medical care. To join, you need to be at least 18 years old, have esophageal cancer, be scheduled for esophagectomy at specific UPMC locations, and be able to understand English. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This is an interventional study comparing an exercise and nutrition program to usual care. It plans to enroll 20 participants.
What's involved
If you are in the exercise and nutrition group, you would participate in resistance and aerobic training 3-5 times per week for up to 8 weeks before surgery. The study also involves nutrition supplementation.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary goals of the study are measured from enrollment through surgical admission, up to 8 weeks.

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

NCT06872515

Impact of Prehabilitation in Oncology Via Exercise- Esophageal (IMPROVE-Esophageal)

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalSupportive care
University of Pittsburgh
~20 participants
Updated 2026-05-26 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Exercise and NutritionUsual Care Group

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Acceptability of Intervention
Measured over From enrollment through surgical admission, up to 8 weeks
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal Carcinoma

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NCT06872515

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaniastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Melanie Potiaumpai, PhD, MPH · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Pittsburgh

Who to contact

Cara Battistella, MA
[email protected]
412-353-9102
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Men and women, age ≥ 18 years old
Diagnosed with esophageal cancer
Identified as esophagectomy surgery candidates at Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Shadyside, or UPMC Passavant
≥ 2 weeks until scheduled esophagectomy
ECOG Performance Status Scale score of ≤ 2
Ability to provide written informed consent
Ability to understand, speak, and read English.

Exclusion

Evidence in the medical record of an absolute contraindication for exercise (e.g., Heart insufficiency \> NYHA III or uncertain arrhythmia; uncontrolled hypertension; reduced standing or walking ability)
Any other comorbidities or musculoskeletal complications that preclude participation in the exercise programs as deemed by the exercise interventionist
Receiving non-esophagectomy related chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy
Active infections, hemorrhages, and cytopenias that could place surgical patients at risk for further adverse events, deemed by the exercise interventionist, physician, and/or nurse

What this trial measures

  • Acceptability of InterventionFrom enrollment through surgical admission, up to 8 weeks

    Acceptability is defined as the proportion of approached participants who agree to participate and complete the baseline assessments and be randomized.

  • Adherence to InterventionFrom enrollment through surgical admission, up to 8 weeks

    Exercise adherence will be calculated as the proportion of completed exercise sessions over the number of prescribed sessions.

  • Feasibility of InterventionFrom enrollment through surgical admission, up to 8 weeks

    The intervention will be considered feasible if 50% of participants complete approximately 70% of prescribed prehabilitation sessions prior to their surgical admission.