NCT07576335 Multimodal Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation for Men Undergoing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
| NCT ID | NCT07576335 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | Phase 2 |
| Sponsor | Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe) |
| Condition | Erectile Dysfunction Following Radical Prostatectomy |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 64 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-08-31 |
| Primary Completion | 2028-12-01 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
In Phase 2, researchers evaluate early signs of effectiveness. You may be randomized to receive the active treatment or a comparator. Monitoring continues closely.
This trial targets 64 participants in total. It began in 2026-08-31 with a primary completion date of 2028-12-01.
⚠ 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
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) - surgical removal of the prostate - is a standard treatment, but it frequently causes erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence that can persist for years and significantly affect quality of life. This trial (ROBOPREP) will test whether a multimodal program of prehabilitation (before surgery) and rehabilitation (after surgery) improves erectile function and urinary continence in men undergoing RARP, compared to standard care alone. The program includes four components, all delivered virtually and in a self-directed manner: 1. Pharmacological - tadalafil 5 mg once daily (a low-dose, TGA-approved erectile medication) beginning 4 weeks before surgery, paused during hospital admission, and resumed for 3 months following catheter removal after surgery. 2. Exercise - pelvic floor muscle training (3 sets per day) and aerobic exercise (40 minutes, 4 times per week) to strengthen the muscles and vascular supply involved in erectile and urinary function. 3. Nutrition - dietary guidance to support surgical recovery and vascular health. 4. Psychological/wellbeing - relaxation techniques, psychoeducation about expected recovery, and self-compassion strategies to address cancer-related anxiety. A total of 64 men will be recruited across three major Sydney hospitals (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, and Chris O'Brien Lifehouse) and randomly assigned 1:1 to the multimodal program plus standard care, or to standard care alone. Outcomes - including erectile function (primary), urinary continence, quality of life, and psychological wellbeing - are assessed at baseline and at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months following surgery. All participant-facing elements of the program are digital, low-cost, and designed for real-world scalability.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults aged ≥18 years undergoing elective robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with curative intent for confirmed prostate cancer. 2. Consulting a urological surgeon with an appointment at participating sites at least 4 weeks prior to scheduled surgery. 3. Willingness to engage in prescribed self-directed interventions. 4. Expected to have 100% unilateral OR \>50% bilateral nerve sparing at prostatectomy Exclusion Criteria: 1. Cognitive impairment such that they lack capacity to provide informed consent. 2. Currently taking intracavernosal injection therapy. 3. Severe or complete erectile dysfunction at baseline, defined as an IIEF-5 score ≤7 or self-reported absence of erectile function. 4. Prescribed nitrates or guanylate cyclase stimulators (e.g., riociguat) - pharmacological contraindication to PDE5 inhibitor use. 5. Impaired renal function (GFR \<50 mL/min and/or creatinine clearance \<30 mL/min). 6. Severe hepatic impairment or concurrent prescription of medications that inhibit CYP3A4. 7. Loss of vision in one eye due to non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION). 8. Myocardial infarction within the last 90 days. 9. Stroke within the last 6 months. 10. Unstable angina or angina occurring during sexual intercourse. 11. New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II or greater heart failure in the last 6 months. 12. Uncontrolled arrhythmias, hypotension (\<90/50 mmHg), or uncontrolled hypertension. 13. Contraindications to participating in the prescribed exercise program. 14. No access to a device with internet connectivity.
Contact & Investigator
Daniel Steffens
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07576335 clinical trial?
This trial is open to male participants only, aged 18 Years or older, studying Erectile Dysfunction Following Radical Prostatectomy. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
What phase is the NCT07576335 trial and what does that mean for participants?
Phase 2 trials evaluate whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness while continuing to monitor safety. More participants are enrolled than in Phase 1 to help refine the treatment protocol.
Is NCT07576335 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07576335 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Nicholas.Hirst1@health.nsw.gov.au for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07576335 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Sydney, Australia, Sydney, Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07576335 clinical trial?
NCT07576335 is sponsored by Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe). The principal investigator is Daniel Steffens at Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe). The trial plans to enroll 64 participants.