PRIORITY-CONNECT 2 Trial

NCT ID: NCT06976710

Last Updated: 2026-01-22

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

564 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-10-15

Study Completion Date

2028-07-30

Brief Summary

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Objectives:

The primary aim of this project is to establish the effectiveness of an individualised stepped, multidisciplinary intervention, including education and peer support group, delivered via a virtual multimodal (p)rehabilitation hub, in reducing postoperative complications within 30-days following colorectal cancer surgery, compared to usual care alone.

The secondary aims will be to obtain data on the likely difference in key outcomes including:

(i) Quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29) (ii) Number of days at home within 30, 90 and 365 days after surgery (DAH-30, 90, 365) (iii) Quality of recovery (QoR-15) (iv) Cost-effectiveness (v) Implementation metrics (RE-AIM)

Our hypothesis is that the PRIORITY-CONNECT 2 intervention will be more effective in reducing postoperative complications and more cost-effective than usual care.

Study design:

Pragmatic Randomised Type I Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial.

Planned sample size:

To achieve the primary aim, 564 participants will provide 90% power to detect a 15% difference in 30-day postoperative complication rates between the intervention and control groups. The sample size calculation accounts for up to 10% loss to follow-up, 5% non-compliance and a two-side alpha of 0.05.

Selection criteria:

A sample of 564 participants undergoing colorectal cancer surgery including open, laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery (mostly, anterior resection, sigmoid colectomy, hemicolectomy, total proctocolectomy, subtotal colectomy, total colectomy) at sites throughout Australia will be included. These are common colorectal cancer surgeries performed at the participating centres. All the surgeons involved in this study have clinical appointments in their respective hospitals.

Inclusion: Adults aged ≥18 years undergoing elective major surgery for colon or rectal cancer with curative intent; and consulting a colorectal surgeon at least 1 week prior to scheduled surgery.

Exclusion: Patients undergoing Pelvic Exenteration (PE), Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) with or without HIPEC, or concurrent surgery for metastatic disease; or cognitive impairment such that they are unable to provide informed consent.

Study Procedure:

Participant's treating team will screen and provide an information sheet about the trial to consecutive patients. Interested patients will be contacted by a study researcher to discuss the trial further, answer any questions, confirm eligibility against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and consent patients. Consenting patients will undergo baseline assessment and be randomised to a virtual multimodal hub (Intervention group) or usual care alone (Control group). The intervention will include the delivery of usual care and evidence-based exercise, nutritional, psychological and nursing interventions, and / or group-delivered peer support. All interventions will be conducted before and after surgery.

Duration of the Study:

Approximately 60 months.

Funding:

Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) 2023 Early and Mid-Career Researchers (Application ID: 2031563).

Sponsor:

The University of Sydney.

Detailed Description

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Further details on the study procedures:

Patients will be identified by their treating team (including but not limited to colorectal surgeon, allied health, research and nursing staff). The treating team will screen and provide the information sheet about the trial to consecutive patients. Interested patients will be contacted by a study researcher to discuss the trial further, answer any questions, confirm eligibility against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and consent patients. Consenting patients will undergo baseline assessment and be randomised to a virtual multimodal hub (Intervention group) or usual care alone (Control group). Patients will undergo an immediate second randomisation to determine their virtual hub assignment (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Hub or The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Hub).

The participants randomised into the intervention group will then be contacted by a range of allied health workers, depending on their individual needs. These may include a physiotherapist, dietitian, psychologist, nurse and/ or a social worker. The intervention will provide the participants support as they navigate the health system. These health workers will communicate with them via the virtual hub for sessions to provide support before surgery and help with their recovery. Participant's individual needs will determine the frequency, intensity, time, type, volume, and progression of these sessions. This intervention may last for up to 12 months after their surgery, but they will be discharged from the intervention once they have reached their treatment goals. If participants do not have access to a smart device and/or internet, the investigators can provide them with a tablet with internet connectivity to engage in virtual delivery of sessions.

Data and safety monitoring:

An independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), will be monitored by a multidisciplinary panel (including statistician(s)). This panel will assess for adverse events and adherence to the protocol at regular intervals to ensure the safety of participants. The frequency of DSMB meetings and the stopping rules for the study will be defined a priori in a charter, in consultation with the DSMB members and study investigators. This will include after commencing participant recruitment and once one fourth of participants have been recruited.

ProCoMida:

The PRO CoMiDa form is a data management tool, designed to provide standardised documentation of the completion, or reasons for non-completion, of patient reported outcomes assessments by patients in a clinical trial. Such documentation is crucial for quality assurance since missing data is the greatest threat to the integrity and interpretability of patient reported outcomes data. The PRO CoMiDa form must be completed at each scheduled patient reported outcomes assessment.

GCP Certificates:

The trial will conform to all relevant ICH GCP guidelines and regulations. Annual audits will be conducted by research officers to ensure that all study staff maintain current GCP certification.

Conditions

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Colorectal Cancer Colorectal Neoplasms

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Investigators Outcome Assessors
The randomisation sequence will be prepared a priori using a central secure randomisation service (1:1 allocation ratio in random permuted blocks of sizes 4 or 2 stratified by hospital, to ensure balance in treatment assignment within hospital) to ensure concealment of treatment allocation and blinding of surgeon, all trial personnel, health economist and statistician. Due to the nature of the intervention, it is not possible to blind the clinicians delivering the intervention (virtual multimodal hub); however, the investigators will ensure that all patients' interactions are standardised according to standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Study Groups

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Virtual Multimodal Hub and usual care (Intervention Group)

The intervention is a multicomponent virtual hub which encompasses medical, social, psychological and functional assessment(s) and intervention(s). Following a comprehensive holistic assessment, clinicians will tailor the intervention subject to individual's presentation and needs. This may include evidence-based exercise, nutritional, psychological and nursing interventions, and /or group-delivered peer support, in addition to usual care. Adjustments and progression will be made in each session according to an individual's response. All interventions will be conducted before and after surgery.

Standardised assessment tools will guide the frequency, intensity, duration, type, volume, and progression of the multimodal interventions, with the potential for the intervention(s) to be stepped-up or stepped-down based on individual patient needs

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Preoperative Exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic, Endurance, Respiratory, Muscle Strength, Education

Postoperative Exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic, Endurance, Respiratory, Muscle Strength, Education

Preoperative Nutrition

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Malnutrition screening, Weight monitoring, Symptom management, Dietetic counselling, Nutrition support

Postoperative Nutrition

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Malnutrition screening, Weight monitoring, Symptom management, Dietetic counselling, Nutrition support

Preoperative Psychology

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

CBT skills, Skills training, Emotional validation, Behavioural activation, Psycho-education

Postoperative Psychology

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

CBT skills, Skills training, Emotional validation, Behavioural activation, Psycho-education

Preoperative Nursing

Intervention Type OTHER

Risk management, Managing pain, Wound care, Bowel function, Surgical education

Postoperative Nursing

Intervention Type OTHER

Risk management, Managing pain, Wound care, Bowel function/Stoma management, Education

Preoperative Peer Support Group

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Fortnightly sessions moderated by a social worker including patients and carers:

Safe space, Share experiences/ideas, Support, Education

Postoperative Peer Support Group

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Fortnightly sessions moderated by a social worker including patients and carers:

Safe space, Share experiences/ideas, Support, Education

Usual Care

Intervention Type OTHER

All participants will receive usual care according to their health care team, which may consist of advice on smoking cessation, reduction of alcohol intake, nutritional counselling, and medical optimisation in the preoperative anaesthetic clinic visits.

Usual care alone (Control Group)

Participants allocated to the control group will only receive usual care according to their health care team, which may consist of advice on smoking cessation, reduction of alcohol intake, nutritional counselling, and medical optimisation in the preoperative anaesthetic clinic visits. Participants will be asked to maintain their normal daily activities. No attempt will be made to alter the routine care pathway. The use of any additional service will be recorded to inform the comprehensive cost analysis (linked to PBS and MBS data).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Usual Care

Intervention Type OTHER

All participants will receive usual care according to their health care team, which may consist of advice on smoking cessation, reduction of alcohol intake, nutritional counselling, and medical optimisation in the preoperative anaesthetic clinic visits.

Interventions

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Preoperative Exercise

Aerobic, Endurance, Respiratory, Muscle Strength, Education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Postoperative Exercise

Aerobic, Endurance, Respiratory, Muscle Strength, Education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Preoperative Nutrition

Malnutrition screening, Weight monitoring, Symptom management, Dietetic counselling, Nutrition support

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Postoperative Nutrition

Malnutrition screening, Weight monitoring, Symptom management, Dietetic counselling, Nutrition support

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Preoperative Psychology

CBT skills, Skills training, Emotional validation, Behavioural activation, Psycho-education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Postoperative Psychology

CBT skills, Skills training, Emotional validation, Behavioural activation, Psycho-education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Preoperative Nursing

Risk management, Managing pain, Wound care, Bowel function, Surgical education

Intervention Type OTHER

Postoperative Nursing

Risk management, Managing pain, Wound care, Bowel function/Stoma management, Education

Intervention Type OTHER

Preoperative Peer Support Group

Fortnightly sessions moderated by a social worker including patients and carers:

Safe space, Share experiences/ideas, Support, Education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Postoperative Peer Support Group

Fortnightly sessions moderated by a social worker including patients and carers:

Safe space, Share experiences/ideas, Support, Education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Usual Care

All participants will receive usual care according to their health care team, which may consist of advice on smoking cessation, reduction of alcohol intake, nutritional counselling, and medical optimisation in the preoperative anaesthetic clinic visits.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Adults aged ≥18 years undergoing elective major surgery for colon or rectal cancer with curative intent
* Consulting with a colorectal cancer surgeon at least 1 week prior to scheduled surgery

Exclusion Criteria

* Patients undergoing Pelvic Exenteration (PE), Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) with or without HIPEC, or concurrent surgery for metastatic disease
* Cognitive impairment such that they are unable to provide informed consent
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Medical Research Future Fund

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe)

NETWORK

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Coffs Harbour Health Campus

Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status RECRUITING

Calvary Mater Hospital

Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

John Hunter Hospital

Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Chris O'Brien Lifehouse

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status RECRUITING

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status RECRUITING

Concord Repatriation General Hospital

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Westmead Hospital

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Blacktown Hospital

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Wagga Wagga Base Hospital

Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Wollongong Hospital

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Princess Alexandra Hospital

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Royal Adelaide Hospital

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Site Status RECRUITING

Flinders Medical Centre

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Modbury Hospital

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Site Status RECRUITING

Lyell McEwin Hospital

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Site Status RECRUITING

Grampians Health Ballarat Hospital

Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Site Status RECRUITING

Bendigo Health

Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

University Hospital Geelong (Barwon Health)

Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status RECRUITING

Alfred Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Footscray Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Werribee Mercy Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Royal Melbourne Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

St Vincent's Melbourne Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Northern Hospital Epping

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Austin Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Eastern (Box Hill) Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Cabrini Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Royal Perth Hospital

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Countries

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Australia

Central Contacts

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Daniel Steffens, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+61 02 9515 3203

Facility Contacts

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Andrew Sutherland

Role: primary

Stephen Smith

Role: primary

Stephen Smith

Role: primary

Michael Solomon

Role: primary

Daniel Steffens, PhD

Role: primary

+61 02 9515 3203

Michael Suen

Role: primary

Yanlan Lin

Role: backup

Amy Cao

Role: primary

Rajni Lal

Role: primary

Danette Wright

Role: backup

Stephen Jancewicz

Role: primary

Robert Winn

Role: primary

Andrew Still

Role: backup

David Clark

Role: primary

Chris Gillespie

Role: primary

Natalie Mazzeo

Role: backup

Chris Gillespie

Role: primary

Tarik Sammour

Role: primary

Tracy Fitzsimmons

Role: backup

Dayan De Fontgalland

Role: primary

Elizabeth Murphy

Role: primary

Hoang Van

Role: backup

Elizabeth Murphy

Role: primary

Hoang Van

Role: backup

Fernando Arduini

Role: primary

Natasha Brice

Role: backup

Angus Lee

Role: primary

Kate Booth

Role: backup

Douglas Stupart

Role: primary

Anne Vandewater

Role: backup

Bernard Riedel

Role: primary

Tom Poulton

Role: backup

Joseph Kong

Role: primary

Justin Yeung

Role: primary

Howard Tang

Role: backup

Toan Pham

Role: primary

Tess Asgill

Role: backup

Jacob McCormick

Role: primary

Corina Behrenbruch

Role: primary

James Keck

Role: backup

Basil D'Souza

Role: primary

Andrea Ditoro

Role: backup

Helen Mohan

Role: primary

Vinna An

Role: primary

Wei Ming

Role: backup

Joseph Kong

Role: primary

Vicki Patton

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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X23-0399 Phase 2

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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