BackgroundPerioperative rehabilitation management is essential to enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). Few reports, however, focused on quantitative, detailed early activity plans for patients after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). The purpose of this research was to estimate the Tailored, Early Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program (t-ECRP) based on ERAS inthe recovery of bowel function andphysical functionfor patients undergoingMIE. MethodsIn this single-blind, 2-arm, parallel-group, randomized pilot clinical trial, patients were selectedfrom June 2019 to February 2020 and assigned to the intervention group (IG) or the controlgroup(CG)randomly.The participants inIGreceived at-ECRPstrategy during theperioperative period, and the CG received routine care. The recovery of bowel andphysical function, readiness for hospital discharge (RHD) and postoperative hospital stay evaluated on the day of discharge. Results215 cases were enrolled and randomized to theIG (n=107)orCG (n=108). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic and clinicalcharacteristics and baseline physical function.After the t-ECRP intervention,the IG group presented a significantly shorter time tofirst flatus(P<0.001) and to first bowel movement postoperative (P=0.024),and a better physical function recovery (P<0.001), compared with theCG group.The analysis also showed thatparticipants in the IG have higherscores of RHD and shorter length of postoperative stay than the CG (P<0.05).Conclusions The findings suggest that the t-ECRP can improve bowel andphysical functionrecovery,amelioratepatients'RHD, and shorten postoperative hospital stayfor patients undergoing MIE.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT01998230)