Preparing Patients for Surgery. Improving Recovery Beyond It
The POWER Program is an innovative prehabilitation model developed at Woman’s Hospital to support patients with gynecologic cancers undergoing major abdominal surgery. Traditionally, surgical care begins at the time of operation. POWER shifts that timeline—preparing patients physically, nutritionally, and emotionally before surgery to improve recovery, enhance resilience, and support long-term survivorship.
Why Prehabilitation Matters
Patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy for gynecologic cancer face significant physical and emotional demands. Recovery can be prolonged, and outcomes are often influenced by a patient’s baseline strength, functional status, and overall health at the time of surgery. Prehabilitation addresses this critical window of opportunity. By optimizing patients before surgery, health systems can improve recovery trajectories, reduce complications, and help patients return to normal activity sooner.
A Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary Approach
POWER is designed as a structured, short-term program that integrates physical therapy, nutrition, and psychosocial support into a coordinated care experience. Patients enrolled in the program participate in a four-week prehabilitation pathway at Woman’s Center for Wellness prior to surgery.
Physical Preparation
Each patient begins with a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation assessing strength, mobility, endurance, and functional capacity. Standardized measures—such as sit-to-stand performance, walking endurance, and functional mobility—establish a baseline and guide individualized care planning.
Patients then participate in twice-weekly supervised sessions, focusing on progressive strengthening, cardiovascular conditioning, and core stability. Exercises are tailored to patient ability while emphasizing functional movements that directly support post-operative recovery. In parallel, patients receive guidance on a structured home walking and exercise program, ensuring continued progress outside of supervised sessions.
Nutrition for Recovery
All participants complete a consultation with a registered dietitian focused on optimizing nutrition for surgical recovery and long-term health. This includes education on protein intake, energy balance, and strategies to support healing and maintain strength throughout treatment.
Supporting the Whole Patient
Recognizing that cancer care extends beyond physical health, the POWER program also incorporates psychosocial support. Patients are connected with counseling services as needed and provided with access to ongoing cancer support resources within the community.
Measuring Impact
POWER is designed to be a clinical service and an outcomes-driven program. Patients are reassessed prior to surgery using the same functional measures obtained at baseline, allowing the care team to evaluate improvements in strength, mobility, and endurance. These data will be used to assess the program’s impact on:
- Post-operative recovery
- Return to baseline activity
- Short- and long-term survivorship outcomes