Pre-surgery exercise may reduce delirium risk, study suggests
A study presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 found that cancer surgery patients who engaged in physical activity at least seven times weekly had a lower likelihood of postoperative delirium. The retrospective matched case-control analysis included 258 patients, 64 with delirium and 194 without. Researchers suggest patients discuss safe pre-surgery activity or prehabilitation with their care team.
Postoperative delirium is an abrupt confusion state that can impair attention, memory, and thinking. It occurs in roughly one-fifth of surgical patients and is more frequent among older adults; it has been associated with prolonged hospitalization, slower recovery, and higher mortality risk.
Researchers examined 258 cancer surgery patients from 2024–2025, including 64 with delirium and 194 without. Those reporting walking plus moderate or vigorous activity at least seven times weekly had about half the delirium likelihood. The study used Confusion Assessment Method screening and self-reported activity and sitting time.
If confirmed, this finding could influence how surgical teams counsel cancer patients before operations. Older adults and those facing major cancer surgery may benefit most, since delirium can lengthen hospital stays and complicate recovery. Greater attention to pre-surgery activity or prehabilitation might shift some preparation burden to patients and families, though safe guidance from clinicians remains essential. Because the analysis was retrospective, its societal impact may depend on future prospective research and how easily prehabilitation programs can be accessed.