Personalized ‘prehabilitation’ helps the body brace for major surgery

Researchers at Stanford University tested personalized prehabilitation programs that prepare patients for major surgery through tailored exercise, nutrition, and cognitive training, comparing them to standard one-size-fits-all approaches. The study of 54 patients showed that personalized prehab significantly reduced harmful immune responses linked to inflammation and cognitive decline after surgery. Patients who received customized programs experienced fewer moderate-to-severe post-operative complications compared to those following standard protocols, demonstrating that individualized preparation can better tune the immune system to handle surgical trauma.