Technology-Based Prehabilitation for Cancer Patients Before Elective Treatment : A Protocol for a Scoping Review

Woods, Grace and Gaffney, Christopher and Ryska, Ondrej and Hayes, Lawrence (2026) Technology-Based Prehabilitation for Cancer Patients Before Elective Treatment : A Protocol for a Scoping Review. JMIR Research Protocols. ISSN 1929-0748 (In Press)

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Abstract

Background: Advances in cancer treatment have improved survival rates, however, patients continue to experience significant treatment-related side effects, leading to reduced quality-of-life. Prehabilitation is an intervention that occurs before treatment and can improve patients’ functional capacity, recovery, and wellbeing through exercise, dietary, and psychological support. Typical hospital-based prehabilitation is not accessible to all patients due to geographical, socioeconomic, and time-related barriers. Technology-based approaches, including eHealth and mHealth interventions, may overcome these barriers by enabling remote, patient-centred delivery. However, the current evidence base is heterogeneous and lacks synthesis regarding feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes. Objectives: This protocol for a scoping review aims to outline how we will systematically map and synthesise the evidence on technology-based prehabilitation interventions for people with cancer, to identify intervention designs, assess feasibility and accessibility, and highlight knowledge gaps to guide future research and practice. Methods: The review will follow JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A three-step search strategy will be applied across multiple databases and grey literature sources. Eligible studies will include adults (≥18 years) with a cancer diagnosis who are scheduled for elective treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy). Interventions must involve eHealth or mHealth approaches supporting unimodal or multimodal prehabilitation activities such as exercise, nutrition, psychological support, or lifestyle modification. Outcomes of interest include functional fitness, quality of life, psychological wellbeing, treatment preparedness, recovery, adherence, and feasibility. Two independent reviewers will conduct title, abstract, and full-text screening, with disagreements resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. Data will be charted and presented in tables, figures, and narrative synthesis. Critical appraisal using JBI tools will contextualise methodological quality but not exclude studies. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB-2) and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. This will not be used to exclude studies, but to determine the quality of articles included. Results: The search strategy has been pilot tested and finalised. Database searches are scheduled to commence March 2026, with study selection and screening anticipated to be completed by April 2026. Data analysis and synthesis is expected to begin May 2026, and final results will be available by October 2026. Conclusion: This protocol outlines a rigorous and transparent approach to mapping the current evidence on technology-based prehabilitation in cancer care. By systematically characterising intervention features, outcome domains, and evidence gaps the review will provide an up-to-date evidence map to guide future research priorities, inform clinical implementation, and support the development of more standardised and inclusive prehabilitation pathways.