Poster Presentation Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Annual Scientific Conference 2024

Patient Perspectives on Exercise Prehabilitation: Preliminary Findings from the BARIPrehab Telehealth Program. (#227)

Belinda J Durey 1 2 3 , Daniel S Martin 4 , Alison M Coates 1 , Kade Davison 1 , Brett Tarca 1 , Nicholas Tetlow 3 5 , Amy Dewar 5
  1. Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, England
  4. Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
  5. Department of Anaesthesia and Peri-operative Medicine, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom

Background: Obesity is a major health concern globally, with bariatric surgery being the most effective tool for long-term weight loss. However, weight loss maintenance is challenging, partly due to metabolic changes that favour weight regain. Preoperative exercise may mitigate these changes, while improving fitness in individuals with obesity. The BARIPrehab study investigates a four-week telehealth exercise intervention aimed at improving cardiorespiratory and metabolic physiology for patients awaiting bariatric surgery.

Methods: This preliminary analysis explores participant views on the BARIPrehab exercise program. Participants provided feedback on aspects of the intervention including mode of delivery, supervision, perceived intensity, and content, using a satisfaction survey.

Results: Recruitment of participants (n=21) was a significant challenge due to COVID-19 related surgical delays and patient willingness to enrol in an exercise program. Despite these barriers, preliminary results indicate a positive reception to the intervention. Average session intensity ratings were 5/10, or ‘hard’ using an RPE scale. Majority of participants reported increased confidence and self-efficacy in managing their health and preparing for surgery. Many noted improvements in energy and overall well-being. Compliance rates were 97%, with most participants completing all prescribed sessions. All participants expressed a preference for the flexibility and accessibility of telehealth-based exercise programs compared to traditional in-person sessions.

Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that a telehealth exercise program is a feasible and acceptable prehabilitation strategy for patients awaiting bariatric surgery. Participants appreciated the program's flexibility and the support provided by the supervised online format. These insights will inform future refinements of the BARIPrehab program and contribute to development of effective preoperative interventions that can be scaled and integrated into standard bariatric care, in both Australian and international settings. The ongoing research aims to validate these findings in a larger sample and assess the impact of prehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and metabolic health.

  1. WHO. Obesity and Overweight World Health Organization 16 February 2018, https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
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  3. Durey BJ, Fritche D, Martin DS, Best LMJ. The Effect of Pre-operative Exercise Intervention on Patient Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Obes Surg. 2022 Jan;32(1):160-169. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05743-w. Epub 2021 Oct 20. PMID: 34671929.
  4. Leibel R, Rosenbaum M, Hirsch J. Changes in Energy Expenditure Resulting From Altered Body Weight. The New England Journal of Medicine. 1995;332(10):621-628.