Researchers studied 186 patients who had surgery to remove low rectal cancer and received a permanent colostomy (stoma). Some patients received standard post-surgery care, while others also used a smartphone app for mental health support and followed a personalized nutrition plan based on blood tests. After two years, patients using the app and nutrition plan had better mental health, sleep, and sexual function. They also had lower inflammation markers, better muscle preservation, and importantly, lower cancer recurrence rates and better survival. This suggests that combining mental health support with smart nutrition planning could significantly help cancer patients recover better.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether using a mental health app combined with personalized nutrition based on blood tests could help patients recover better after surgery for low rectal cancer
  • Who participated: 186 patients with early-stage low rectal cancer (stages I-III) who had surgery to remove the cancer and create a permanent stoma. All patients received standard enhanced recovery care, with some also getting the app-based mental health program and nutrition plan
  • Key finding: Patients who used the mental health app plus personalized nutrition had significantly better mental health, sleep quality, and sexual function by month 3, which lasted for 2 years. They also had 52% lower cancer recurrence risk and 56% lower death risk over 2 years compared to standard care alone
  • What it means for you: If you’re facing this type of surgery, adding mental health support and personalized nutrition to your recovery plan may help you feel better emotionally, recover faster, and potentially improve your long-term health outcomes. However, these results need confirmation in larger studies before becoming standard practice

The Research Details

This was a prospective cohort study, meaning researchers followed patients forward in time and compared two groups. All 186 patients received standard enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) care, which includes things like early mobilization, pain management, and nutritional support. However, one group also received additional support: a smartphone app that taught cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT—a type of mental health technique) and a personalized nutrition plan based on their blood test results. The nutrition plan was customized based on three measurements: a nutritional index score, inflammation markers (CRP and IL-6), and muscle mass. The interventions started two weeks before surgery and continued for six months after surgery.

The researchers measured outcomes at multiple time points: before surgery, at hospital discharge, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. They tracked mental health (depression), sleep quality, sexual function, quality of life, inflammation levels, muscle mass, and whether cancer came back or if patients survived.

This type of study is useful for showing whether a new approach might work, but it has limitations because patients weren’t randomly assigned to groups—they chose or were assigned based on availability. This means some differences between groups could be due to factors other than the intervention itself.

This research approach matters because it tests a real-world combination of two important but often separate areas: mental health support and nutrition. For cancer patients facing major surgery and permanent lifestyle changes, addressing both the emotional and physical aspects of recovery could be more effective than addressing them separately. The study’s focus on inflammation markers is particularly important because chronic inflammation is linked to cancer recurrence and poor survival

Strengths: The study followed patients for 2 years, which is long enough to see meaningful differences in survival and recurrence. The researchers used objective measurements like blood tests and imaging, not just patient reports. They performed additional statistical analyses to check if their results held up. Limitations: This was not a randomized controlled trial, so we can’t be completely certain the app and nutrition plan caused the improvements—other differences between groups could explain the results. It was a single-center study (one hospital), so results might not apply everywhere. The study was published in 2026, so it’s very recent and needs confirmation by other researchers

What the Results Show

By three months after surgery, patients using the app and personalized nutrition plan showed significantly better mental health, with lower depression scores. Their sleep quality improved more than the standard care group, and they reported better sexual function—all important quality-of-life measures that typically suffer after this type of surgery. These improvements continued through the entire two-year follow-up period.

The inflammation markers (CRP and IL-6) dropped much faster in the intervention group, starting as early as day 7 after surgery. This is important because inflammation is linked to cancer recurrence and poor survival. Patients in the intervention group also left the hospital sooner on average, suggesting faster physical recovery.

Muscle mass, which is often lost after major surgery and cancer treatment, was better preserved in the intervention group at the two-year mark. This matters because maintaining muscle is linked to better long-term health and function.

Most importantly, patients using the app and nutrition plan had significantly better cancer outcomes: their risk of cancer coming back within two years was 52% lower, and their risk of death was 56% lower compared to standard care alone. These differences were statistically significant and remained true even when researchers adjusted for other factors that might affect survival.

Hospital stay was shorter for the intervention group, which reduces infection risk and healthcare costs. The improvements in depression, sleep, and sexual function were sustained throughout the two-year period, suggesting the benefits weren’t temporary. The preservation of muscle mass is particularly notable because muscle loss is a common problem after this surgery and is difficult to reverse

Previous research has shown that mental health problems and poor nutrition are common after this type of cancer surgery and negatively affect outcomes. Some studies have shown that CBT can help with depression and anxiety in cancer patients, and that good nutrition supports recovery. However, this appears to be one of the first studies to combine digital CBT with inflammation-guided nutrition in this specific patient population. The survival improvements are larger than what’s typically seen with nutrition or mental health interventions alone, suggesting the combination may be more powerful than either approach separately

The biggest limitation is that this wasn’t a randomized controlled trial—patients weren’t randomly assigned to groups, so we can’t be completely sure the app and nutrition plan caused the improvements. Some patients might have been more motivated or healthier to begin with. The study was done at a single hospital in one location, so results might not apply to all hospitals or countries. We don’t know how much of the benefit came from the app versus the nutrition plan versus the combination. The study is very recent (2026) and hasn’t been confirmed by other research teams yet. Finally, we don’t know if these results would apply to patients with other types of cancer or those who can’t use smartphone apps

The Bottom Line

For patients facing this type of surgery: Discuss with your medical team whether adding mental health support and personalized nutrition based on blood tests could benefit your recovery plan. The evidence suggests this combination may help with emotional recovery, reduce inflammation, and potentially improve survival, but these results need confirmation in larger studies. Confidence level: Moderate—the results are promising but come from a single-center study without random assignment. For healthcare providers: Consider offering digital mental health support and inflammation-guided nutrition as part of enhanced recovery programs, while awaiting results from larger randomized trials

This research is most relevant to: Patients scheduled for abdominoperineal resection for low rectal cancer, their families, colorectal cancer surgeons, oncologists, and nutritionists. It may also interest patients with other types of cancer who face major surgery and permanent lifestyle changes. This research is less immediately applicable to: Patients with other cancer types or those unable to use smartphone apps, though the general principles might still be helpful

Mental health and sleep improvements appeared by 3 months and continued improving through 2 years. Inflammation reduction started within the first week after surgery. Muscle preservation benefits became apparent over several months. Cancer recurrence and survival benefits were measured over 2 years. Realistic expectations: You might notice mood and sleep improvements within weeks to months, but the full benefits of the program likely take several months to become apparent

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly: (1) Mood/depression using a simple 0-10 scale, (2) Sleep quality and hours slept, (3) Energy levels, (4) Adherence to the nutrition plan. Monthly: Request inflammation blood tests (CRP and IL-6) if your doctor agrees, and track results in the app to see if your nutrition changes are working
  • Users should: Complete daily CBT exercises in the app (10-15 minutes), log meals to track adherence to personalized nutrition plan, set reminders for anti-inflammatory foods based on their blood test results, and use the app’s mood tracking to identify patterns and triggers. The app should provide personalized meal suggestions based on inflammation markers and nutritional status
  • Weekly self-monitoring through the app for mood, sleep, and nutrition adherence. Monthly blood tests for inflammation markers (CRP, IL-6) coordinated with your doctor. Quarterly check-ins with a healthcare provider to review progress and adjust the nutrition plan based on blood test results. Long-term tracking of energy levels, quality of life, and any cancer-related concerns to ensure sustained benefits

This research describes a promising new approach to cancer surgery recovery, but it comes from a single-center study without random assignment of patients to groups. These results are preliminary and should not replace standard medical care or your doctor’s recommendations. The survival improvements shown are encouraging but need confirmation through larger, randomized studies before becoming standard practice. If you’re facing this type of surgery, discuss these findings with your cancer care team to determine if this approach is appropriate for your specific situation. This information is for educational purposes and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making decisions about your cancer care.