Research Square · Oct 27, 2026

Effects of a Multidisciplinary Telehealth Program with Functional Exercises in Patients Eligible for Metabolic Bariatric Surgery: A Pilot Feasibility Study

By Santos RSd, Silva KSd, Santos WRd et al.

Background: Patients awaiting metabolic bariatric surgery frequently face prolonged waiting times, a period during which physical function and cardiometabolic health can deteriorate. Multidisciplinary, telehealth-based interventions may represent a viable strategy to optimize patients health status prior to surgery, however, evidence regarding the feasibility and preliminary effects of such interventions remains limited. Methods: This pilot study was conducted with 29 patients with severe obesity awaiting surgery under the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). The intervention was delivered remotely over 12 weeks and integrated nutritional and psychological counseling, weekly health education sessions, and supervised functional exercises. Results: Sixteen participants completed the study, yielding a retention rate of 55.2% and a mean adherence rate of 29.3%. Despite partial adherence, significant reductions were observed in body mass (-2.1%; p = 0.034; d = 0.60) and BMI (-2.8%; p = 0.006; d = 0.80). Significant increases were also found in estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (+ 12.7%; p = 0.013; d = 0.97 and + 14.5%; p = 0.001; d = 1.19), handgrip strength (+ 12.0%; p = 0.017; d = 0.67), and performance on both the 30-second chair stand test (+ 26.6%; p < 0.001; d = 1.19) and the 60-second chair stand test (+ 24.2%; p < 0.001; d = 1.39) and the weekly physical activity levels increased by 123.0%. Conclusion: The findings suggest that multidisciplinary telehealth prehabilitation is a potentially viable strategy for patients on the bariatric surgery waiting list, exerting favorable effects on anthropometric parameters and functional capacity.

doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-10758397/v1Open accessInterventions