Researchers tested a new program called OPRAH that helps people recover after cancer surgery. For three months after leaving the hospital, patients used a smartphone app and fitness tracker to share information about how much they moved and what they ate. Dietitians and physical therapists then gave them personalized coaching through their phones. The study found that patients really liked using the app and tracker, and they stuck with the program. The coaches were able to help patients, though fitting this new program into busy hospital schedules was tricky. The good news is that because patients followed the program so well, doctors can be confident that any improvements in recovery came from the OPRAH program itself.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new recovery program using smartphones and remote coaching helps cancer patients get stronger and healthier after surgery
  • Who participated: People who had surgery for stomach, intestinal, or lung cancer and were going home from the hospital. The study tracked how well they followed the program and what they thought about it.
  • Key finding: Patients were very good at using the app and tracker (high adherence), and all patients got help from at least one coach. This means the program worked well enough to show real results.
  • What it means for you: If you’re recovering from cancer surgery, a program like this could help you heal better by keeping you active and eating enough protein. However, hospitals will need to figure out how to fit this into their regular routines before it becomes widely available.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is the gold standard for medical research. Researchers compared patients who received the OPRAH program to those who didn’t. The OPRAH program lasted three months after patients went home from the hospital. Patients used a smartphone app and a wearable activity tracker to record how much they exercised and how much protein they ate each day. This information was automatically sent to their healthcare team—a dietitian (nutrition expert) and a physical therapist (exercise specialist)—who then gave them personalized coaching through their phones or video calls. The researchers used something called Carroll’s framework to measure how well the program actually worked in real life, looking at both numbers (like how many coaching sessions happened) and patient feedback (what people said about their experience).

Understanding whether a program actually works the way it’s supposed to is just as important as knowing if it helps patients feel better. This study looked at ‘implementation fidelity,’ which means checking that the program was delivered correctly and that patients actually used it. If patients don’t follow the program or if it’s too hard for doctors to deliver, then even a good program won’t help. By measuring this carefully, researchers can tell whether any improvements in patient recovery came from the program itself or from other factors.

This study was well-designed because it was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered very reliable. The researchers carefully tracked whether patients actually used the program and got feedback from both patients and healthcare workers. They looked at both hard numbers (like adherence rates) and personal stories (qualitative data), which gives a complete picture. The main limitation is that the paper doesn’t specify exactly how many patients participated, which makes it harder to judge how broadly these findings apply.

What the Results Show

Patients did an excellent job using the technology. They consistently wore their activity trackers and logged their protein intake through the app. Every single patient received coaching from at least one healthcare professional (either the dietitian or physical therapist), which shows the program reached everyone it was supposed to help. The frequency of coaching sessions varied depending on the type of surgery—patients who had stomach or intestinal surgery got more coaching sessions than those who had lung surgery. This makes sense because different surgeries affect the body differently and may require different amounts of support. The fact that patients stuck with the program so well is important because it means any improvements the researchers saw in the main study can be confidently linked to the OPRAH program itself, not to patients dropping out or not following instructions.

The study identified several factors that made the program work better or worse. On the positive side, the healthcare workers (physiotherapists and dietitians) were enthusiastic and responsive to patients, the technology worked smoothly without many glitches, and the strategies used to get healthcare workers involved were effective. On the challenging side, the biggest problem was that fitting this new program into the daily work routine of busy hospitals was difficult. Staff had to learn new systems, coordinate with each other, and find time in their schedules for remote coaching. This suggests that while the program itself is good, hospitals need better planning and support to make it part of their regular services.

This research builds on growing evidence that remote coaching and technology can help cancer patients recover better. Previous studies have shown that staying active and eating enough protein after cancer surgery helps people heal faster and regain strength. This study adds to that knowledge by showing that patients will actually use smartphone apps and wearable trackers for this purpose, and that remote coaching from healthcare professionals is feasible and acceptable. It also highlights a gap in previous research—many studies test whether programs work, but fewer examine whether they can actually be delivered in real hospitals with real staff and patients.

The study doesn’t tell us the exact number of patients who participated, which makes it harder to understand how representative the results are. The study only looked at patients recovering from specific types of cancer surgery (gastrointestinal and lung), so the results may not apply to other cancer types. The study was conducted in what appears to be a research setting, which may have had more resources and support than a typical hospital, so real-world implementation might be more challenging. The study measured whether patients used the program, but the paper doesn’t provide detailed information about whether patients actually improved in their physical recovery compared to the control group—that information is in the main RCT results published separately.

The Bottom Line

If you’re recovering from cancer surgery and your hospital offers a program like OPRAH, it appears to be worth trying. The evidence suggests (moderate confidence) that using an app and activity tracker with remote coaching from a dietitian and physical therapist can support your recovery. The program is designed to help you stay active and eat enough protein, both of which are important for healing. However, talk to your healthcare team about whether this program is right for your specific situation and type of surgery.

This research is most relevant for people recovering from stomach, intestinal, or lung cancer surgery. It’s also important for hospital administrators and healthcare workers who are trying to figure out how to support cancer patients after surgery. If you’re a cancer survivor, a family member of someone recovering from cancer surgery, or a healthcare professional working with cancer patients, this research shows that technology-based coaching programs can work. However, if your hospital doesn’t currently offer this type of program, don’t worry—traditional in-person coaching and support are still valuable.

The OPRAH program was designed for three months after leaving the hospital, which is when patients are most vulnerable and need the most support. You might notice improvements in your strength and energy within the first few weeks of starting the program, but the biggest benefits typically appear over the full three-month period. Recovery from cancer surgery is a gradual process, so be patient with yourself and celebrate small improvements.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Use your app to log daily protein intake (target: 25-30 grams per meal) and daily step count or exercise minutes. Track these metrics weekly to see trends in your recovery progress.
  • Set a daily reminder to wear your activity tracker and log one meal with protein content. Start with breakfast, then gradually add lunch and dinner as it becomes routine. Aim to increase your daily steps by 10% each week.
  • Review your weekly activity and protein reports with your coach or healthcare provider. Create a simple chart showing your weekly average steps and total daily protein. Set monthly goals (like increasing steps from 3,000 to 4,000 per day) and celebrate when you reach them.

This research describes a specific recovery program for cancer patients after surgery. The findings are promising but should not replace advice from your oncologist, surgeon, or healthcare team. Before starting any new exercise program or making significant dietary changes during cancer recovery, always consult with your medical team. This study shows the program can be delivered successfully, but individual results may vary. If you’re a cancer survivor, work with your healthcare providers to determine if a program like this is appropriate for your specific situation and type of cancer treatment.