← Back to Clinical Trials
Recruiting NCT06872515

NCT06872515 Impact of Prehabilitation in Oncology Via Exercise- Esophageal (IMPROVE-Esophageal)

◆ AI Clinical Summary
Plain-language summary for patients
Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06872515
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor University of Pittsburgh
Condition Esophageal Cancer
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 20 participants
Start Date 2025-07-16
Primary Completion 2027-04-30

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Exercise and NutritionUsual Care Group

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 20 participants in total. It began in 2025-07-16 with a primary completion date of 2027-04-30.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of a prehabilitation exercise and nutrition program (exercise and nutrition before a medical treatment) in adults with esophageal cancer before surgery (esophagectomy). The pre-surgery exercise and nutrition program will include resistance and aerobic training and nutrition supplementation during the weeks before surgery. We will also assess pre-surgical care needs in adults with esophageal cancer. Researchers will compare the exercise and nutrition intervention to usual care- which is standard medical care and post-surgery surveillance/follow-up to understand the impact of exercise and nutrition before surgery. We will follow-up with participants before surgery, and after surgery at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 4-months at appointments that coincide with clinical follow-ups. The main questions of this trials are: * Is exercise and nutrition supplementation before surgery for esophageal cancer feasible and acceptable to patients? * How does exercise and nutrition supplementation before surgery change physical function and psychosocial health? * What are important pre-surgical needs for adults with esophageal cancer?

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Criteria: * 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

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Cara Battistella, MA

✉ battistellac@upmc.edu

📞 412-353-9102

Principal Investigator

Melanie Potiaumpai, PhD, MPH

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

University of Pittsburgh

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06872515 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Esophageal Cancer. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT06872515 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06872515 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at battistellac@upmc.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06872515 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Pittsburgh, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06872515 clinical trial?

NCT06872515 is sponsored by University of Pittsburgh. The principal investigator is Melanie Potiaumpai, PhD, MPH at University of Pittsburgh. The trial plans to enroll 20 participants.

Related Trials

Related Intelligence Guides

In-depth guides covering this condition's trials, eligibility, and what to expect.

ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology