Virtual Reality Bringing a New Reality to Postthoracotomy Lung Cancer Patients Via a Home-Based Exercise Intervention Targeting Fatigue While Undergoing Adjuvant Treatment Exercise in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Effect of postoperative physical training on activity after curative surgery for non-small cell lung cancer: a multicentre randomised controlled trial. POSITIVE study: physical exercise program in non-operable lung cancer patients undergoing palliative treatment Home-based exercise: promising rehabilitation for symptom relief, improved functional status and quality of life for post-surgical lung cancer patients. Effects of a supervised exercise intervention on recovery from treatment regimens in breast cancer survivors. Perioperative Rehabilitation in Operable Lung Cancer Patients (PROLUCA) A modified exercise protocol may promote continuance of exercise after the intervention in lung cancer patients—a pragmatic uncontrolled trial Supervised physical exercise to improve the quality of life of cancer patients: the EFICANCER randomised controlled trial Outcomes of Pulmonary Rehabilitation After Treatment for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stages I to IIIa: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY A rehabilitation program for lung cancer patients during postthoracotomy chemotherapy Safety and feasibility of a combined exercise intervention for inoperable lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a pilot study. Pulmonary rehabilitation programme for patients undergoing curative lung cancer surgery. Too Sick Not to Exercise: Using a 6-Week, Home-Based Exercise Intervention for Cancer-Related Fatigue Self-management for Postsurgical Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Safety and Feasibility of an Exercise Intervention for Patients Following Lung Resection The Impact of a Multidimensional Exercise Intervention on Physical and Functional Capacity, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients With Advanced-Stage Lung Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy Do patients with lung cancer benefit from physical exercise?
Background : Little is known about rehabilitation for postthoracotomy non – small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) patients . This research uses a perceived self-efficacy-enhancing light-intensity exercise intervention targeting a priority symptom , cancer-related fatigue ( CRF ) , for postthoracotomy NSCLC patients . This article reports on phase II of a 2-phase study . Phase I focused on initiation and tolerance of exercise during the 6 weeks immediately after thoracotomy , whereas phase II addressed maintenance of exercise for an additional 10 weeks including participants initiating and completing chemotherapy and /or radiation therapy . Objective : The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility , acceptability , and preliminary efficacy of an exercise intervention for postthoracotomy NSCLC patients to include those initiating and completing adjuvant therapy . Interventions / Methods : A single-arm design composed of 7 participants postthoracotomy for NSCLC performed light-intensity exercises using an efficacy-enhancing virtual-reality approach using the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus . Results : Despite most participants undergoing chemotherapy and /or radiation therapy , participants adhered to the intervention at a rate of 88 % with no adverse events while giving the intervention high acceptability scores on conclusion . Likewise , participants ’ CRF scores improved from initiation through the conclusion of the intervention with perceived self-efficacy for walking at a light intensity continuously for 60 minutes , improving significantly upon conclusion over presurgery values . Conclusions : Postthoracotomy NSCLC patients maintained exercise for an additional 10 weeks while undergoing adjuvant therapy showing rehabilitation potential because the exercise intervention was feasible , safe , well tolerated , and highly acceptable showing positive changes in CRF self-management . Implication s for Practice : A r and omized controlled trial is needed to further investigate these relationships PURPOSE This study aim ed to evaluate the safety , feasibility , and effects of an 8-wk combined resistance and endurance exercise program in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) during in- and outpatient care . METHODS In this intervention study , 40 patients with predominantly advanced NSCLC receiving simultaneous or sequential radiochemotherapy or chemotherapy alone were enrolled . For a period of 8 wk , patients were instructed to exercise at least five times per week during the inpatient setting and at least three times per week in the outpatient setting . Physical performance status ( endurance capacity : 6-min walk test ; strength capacity : h and held dynamometry ) , quality -of-life ( Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung ) , fatigue ( Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory ) , and depression ( Patient Health Question naire ) were assessed at baseline ( T0 ) , after the exercise intervention ( T1 ) , and at a follow-up time point 8 wk later ( T2 ) . The primary end point was adequate adherence ( feasibility ) defined as completing at least two training sessions per week during a minimum of 6 wk . RESULTS Of 40 patients , 31 ( 77.5 % ) completed the postexercise assessment ( T1 ) and 22 ( 55 % ) completed follow-up ( T2 ) . The stages were IIA ( 5 % ) , IIIA ( 8 % ) , IIIB ( 20 % ) , and IV ( 67 % ) , and the median age was 63 yr ( range = 22 - 75 yr ) . Overall , adherence was 82 % for those patients who completed T1 , and 55 % of the 40 participating patients fulfilled the adequate adherence criterion . Those who completed the intervention showed a significant improvement in the 6-min walk distance and in knee , elbow , and hip muscle strength after the intervention ( T1 ) . Quality of life , fatigue , and depression scores remained stable or declined slightly . Significant improvements in knee-muscle strength were also observed at T2 . CONCLUSIONS Exercise training is feasible in advanced and metastatic NSCLC patients during anticancer treatment . In this pilot study , endurance and strength capacity improved over time , indicating the rehabilitative importance of the applied intervention . To investigate the potential impact of exercise training in this patient group , a larger r and omized trial is warranted OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a combined hospital plus home exercise programme following curative surgery for non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) . DESIGN R and omised controlled trial . SETTING Teaching hospital . PARTICIPANTS One hundred and thirty-one subjects with NSCLC admitted for curative surgery . INTERVENTIONS Participants were r and omised to usual care or a hospital plus home exercise programme . OUTCOMES The primary outcome was the between-group difference in physical activity 4 weeks after surgery . Secondary outcomes were the difference in quadriceps strength , exercise tolerance and quality of life [ Short Form-36 ( SF-36 ) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer ( EORTC ) QLQ-LC13 ] from pre-operatively ( baseline ) to 4 weeks after surgery . RESULTS The participants ( n=131 ) had a mean age of 68 [ st and ard deviation ( SD ) 11 ] years and mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 2.4 ( SD 1.1)l . There were no significant differences in physical activity between the groups 4 weeks after surgery [ mean difference adjusted for baseline 12minutes/day , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) -20.2 to 44.1 ] . In addition , there were no significant differences in total SF-36 or EORTC QLQ-LC13 scores from baseline to 4 weeks after surgery . Both groups had recovered their pre-operative walking distance 4 weeks after surgery , and there were no differences between the groups ( mean difference in Incremental Shuttle Walk Test from baseline to 4 weeks after surgery ( -26 m , 95 % CI -94.2 to 42.3 ) . CONCLUSIONS A hospital plus home exercise programme showed little benefit in unselected patients with NSCLC following surgery . Regardless of group allocation , the patients had recovered their pre-operative exercise tolerance levels by 4 weeks after surgery Background Patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) or small cell lung cancer ( SCLC ) often experience multidimensional impairments , affecting quality of life during their course of disease . In lung cancer patients with operable disease , several studies have shown that exercise has a positive impact on quality of life and physical functioning . There is limited evidence regarding efficacy for advanced lung cancer patients undergoing palliative treatment . Therefore , the POSITIVE study aims to evaluate the benefit of a 24-week exercise intervention during palliative treatment in a r and omized controlled setting . Methods / design The POSITIVE study is a r and omized , controlled trial investigating the effects of a 24-week exercise intervention during palliative treatment on quality of life , physical performance and immune function in advanced , non-operable lung cancer patients . 250 patients will be recruited in the Clinic for Thoracic Diseases in Heidelberg , enrolment begun in November 2013 . Main inclusion criterion is histologically confirmed NSCLC ( stage IIIa , IIIb , IV ) or SCLC ( Limited Disease-SCLC , Extensive Disease-SCLC ) not amenable to surgery . Patients are r and omized into two groups . Both groups receive weekly care management phone calls ( CMPCs ) with the goal to assess symptoms and side effects . Additionally , one group receives a combined resistance and endurance training ( 3x/week ) . Primary endpoints are quality of life assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for patients with lung cancer ( FACT-L , subcategory Physical Well-Being ) and General Fatigue measured by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory ( MFI-20 ) . Secondary endpoints are physical performance ( maximal voluntary isometric contraction , 6-min walk distance ) , psychosocial ( depression and anxiety ) and immunological parameters and overall survival . Discussion The aim of the POSITIVE trial is the evaluation of effects of a 24-week structured and guided exercise intervention during palliative treatment stages . Analysis of various outcomes ( such as quality of life , physical performance , self-efficacy , psychosocial and immunological parameters ) will contribute to a better underst and ing of the potential of exercise in advanced lung cancer patients . In contrast to other studies with advanced oncological patients the POSITIVE trial provides weekly phone calls to support patients both in the intervention and control group and to segregate the impact of physical activity on quality of life . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT02055508 ( Date : December 12 , 2013 BACKGROUND Post-thoracotomy non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) patients report cancer-related fatigue ( CRF ) as a severe symptom that may increase the occurrence and severity of other symptoms while decreasing functional status and quality of life ( QOL ) . The aim of this pilot study was to describe the effects of a home-based rehabilitative exercise intervention on CRF , other symptoms , functional status , and QOL for post-surgical NSCLC patients starting within days after hospital discharge . METHODS Seven post-thoracotomy NSCLC patients completed the  Brief Fatigue Inventory ( BFI ) measuring CRF severity , and the  M.D. And erson Symptom Inventory measuring symptom severity at pre- and post-surgery , and at the end of each week of the six-week intervention . Additionally , the Medical Outcomes Short-Form-36 measuring physical and mental functional status ; and the Quality of Life Index ( QLI ) measuring QOL were completed pre- and post-surgery , after week 3 , and at the end of the intervention ( week 6 ) . RESULTS Participants had a mean age of 65 years , a mean of 6 co-morbid conditions , and initiated the intervention within 4 days after hospital discharge . Participants ' CRF severity scores were reduced to mild levels while the mean number of symptoms decreased from 10.4 post-surgery to 7.0 at week 6 with lower levels of severity and interference . Likewise , participants ' post-intervention functional status and QOL improved to near or above pre-surgical levels . CONCLUSIONS The exercise intervention for post-surgical NSCLC patients showed promising preliminary efficacy in improving CRF , other symptom severity , functional status , and QOL . Further testing via a two-arm r and omized controlled trial is being conducted PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of supervised exercise training on cardiopulmonary function and fatigue in cancer survivors undergoing various clinical treatments . DESIGN Pretest and post-test quasiexperimental . SETTING Outpatient oncology rehabilitation center . SAMPLE 96 breast cancer survivors undergoing various clinical treatments . METHODS Subjects were divided into four groups based on the specific type of clinical treatment : surgery alone ( n = 22 ) ; surgery and chemotherapy ( n = 30 ) ; surgery and radiation ( n = 17 ) ; and surgery , chemotherapy , and radiation ( n = 27 ) . Following a comprehensive screening and medical examination , cardiovascular endurance , pulmonary function , and fatigue were assessed , leading to the development of an individualized exercise prescription and a six-month exercise intervention . Repeated- measures analysis of variance and covariance were used to compare the effectiveness of the intervention and differences among treatment groups . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Systolic and diastolic blood pressure , resting heart rate , forced vital capacity , forced expiratory volume , predicted oxygen consumption , time on treadmill , and fatigue . FINDINGS Cardiopulmonary function ( predicted maximal oxygen consumption and time on treadmill ) significantly increased in all groups after exercise training . In addition , resting heart rate and forced vital capacity significantly improved in those receiving surgery , chemotherapy , and radiation . Psychologically , the exercise intervention result ed in significant reductions in behavioral , affective , sensory , cognitive and mood , and total fatigue scale scores in all three groups who received treatment with surgery . The breast cancer survivors in the surgery-alone group showed significant reductions in behavioral , affective , and total fatigue scale scores but not in sensory and cognitive and mood fatigue scale scores . CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that moderate intensity , individualized , prescriptive exercise maintains or improves cardiopulmonary function with concomitant reductions in fatigue regardless of treatment type . Moreover , cancer survivors receiving combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy following surgery appear to benefit to a greater extent as a result of an individualized exercise intervention . IMPLICATION S FOR NURSING Clinicians need to be aware of adjuvant therapies such as moderate exercise that attenuate negative side effects of cancer treatments . Symptom management recommendations should be given to cancer survivors concerning the effectiveness of exercise throughout the cancer continuum and the importance of participating in a cancer rehabilitation exercise program Introduction . Surgical resection in patients with non – small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) may be associated with significant morbidity , functional limitations , and decreased quality of life . Objectives . The safety and feasibility of a preoperative and early postoperative rehabilitation program in patients operated for NSCLC was determined in a nonhospital setting , with focus on high-intensity interval exercise . Methods . Forty patients with biopsy-proven NSCLC stages I to IIIa referred for surgical resection at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery RT , Rigshospitalet , University of Copenhagen , were r and omly assigned to 1 of 4 groups ( 3 intervention groups and 1 control group ) . The preoperative intervention consisted of a home-based exercise program , while the postoperative exercise program comprised a supervised group exercise program involving resistance and high-intensity interval cardiorespiratory exercise 2 hours weekly for 12 weeks combined with individual counseling . The study endpoints were inclusion rate , adherence , and number of adverse events . Results . Forty patients ( of 124 screened ; 32 % ) were included and r and omized into the 4 groups . The postoperative exercise was completed by 73 % of the patients r and omized to this intervention . No adverse events were observed , indicating that the early postoperative exercise program is safe . The preoperative home-based exercise program was not feasible due to interfering diagnostic procedures and fast-track surgery that left only 1 to 2 weeks between diagnosis and surgery . Conclusion . The early postoperative exercise program for patients with NSCLC was safe and feasible , but in a fast-track set up , a preoperative home-based exercise program was not feasible for this population Purpose A previous study investigated the effects of a well-documented COPD exercise protocol in lung cancer patients . The study showed improvements in physical fitness , but poor adherence to continued exercise after intervention . The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a modified exercise intervention on post-intervention adherence , and physical fitness in a broad group of lung cancer patients . Methods Fifty-nine patients enrolled in a 9-week exercise program . Eligibility criteria were limited to presence of motivation , and absence of comorbidities that could jeopardize safety . The intervention included three times 3 weeks of exercise ( 3 weeks supervised , 3 weeks home-based and 3 weeks supervised ) . The patient ’s activities were structured by logbooks during the 3 weeks at home . VO2 max was estimated at baseline and at the end of intervention . Self-reported quality of life was recorded before and after the exercise program . Post-intervention exercise activity was assessed by telephone interviews 4 weeks after intervention . Results Fifty-one patients initiated the exercise intervention and 29 patients successfully completed the exercise program .  Full data were available for 25 patients regarding estimated VO2 max . Twenty-six of the 29 were available for follow-up with respect to continuance of physical activity . Among the 26 who completed the 9-week training program , 18 ( 69 % ) continued to be physically active on a daily basis . No change in estimated VO2 max was observed . A trend towards increased quality of life and better symptom control was noted . Conclusions The present study showed an increased level of continuance of physical activity compared to the previous study . The present study could , however , not repeat the significant improvements in estimated VO2 max from the previous study Background The optimal form of exercise for individuals with cancer has yet to be identified , but there is evidence that exercise improves their quality of life . The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and efficiency of an innovative physical exercise programme , for individuals undergoing chemotherapy for breast , gastrointestinal or non-small cell lung tumours , for improving quality of life , reducing level of fatigue , and enhancing functional capacity over time . Design / Methods We will conduct a clinical trial in 66 patients with stage IV breast , gastrointestinal or non-small cell lung cancer , recruited by the Department of Oncology of the referral hospital from 4 primary care health centres of the Basque Health Service ( Osakidetza ) . These patients will be r and omised to one of two groups . The treatment common to both groups will be the usual care for cancer : optimized usual drug therapies and strengthening of self-care ; in addition , patients in the intervention group will participate in a 2-month exercise programme , including both aerobic and strength exercises , supervised by nurses in their health centre . The principal outcome variable is health-related quality of life , measured blindly with the 30-item European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Question naire and Short Form-36 four times : at baseline , and 2 , 6 and 12 months later . The secondary outcome variables are fatigue ( Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue question naire ) , functional capacity ( 6-Minute Walk Test and cardiorespiratory test ) , muscle strength ( h and -held dynamometry and sit-to-st and test ) , radiological response to treatment ( Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors ) and progression-free and overall survival . Age , sex , diagnosis , chemotherapy regimen , Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and smoking status will be considered as predictive variables . Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis , comparing changes at each time point between groups , adjusting for baseline values by analysis of covariance . Discussion As well as achieving the objectives set , this study will provide us with information on patient perception of the care received and an opportunity to develop a project based on collaborative action between the primary care and oncology professionals . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov Identifier : NCT01786122 Registration date : 02/05/2013 PURPOSE : Although rehabilitation after treatment for non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) was found to have a beneficial effect on exercise capacity in a number of studies , insight into its effect on quality of life ( QoL ) and fatigue is limited . The aim of this study was to examine the outcome of pulmonary rehabilitation ( PR ) regarding fatigue , QoL , and exercise capacity in adult patients curatively treated for NSCLC stages I to IIIa . METHODS : Study data were prospect ively and routinely gathered in daily practice in patients taking part in an outpatient PR program after treatment for NSCLC stages I to IIIa . PR consisted of 12 weeks of supervised exercises 3 times a week , supplemented with scheduled visits with members of a multidisciplinary team . Data were gathered at initial assessment and discharge . Outcomes included fatigue ( the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue and the fatigue domain of the Chronic Respiratory Disease Question naire ) ; QoL ( total CRQ score ) , Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung , and the Short Form 36 ; and exercise capacity ( cardiopulmonary exercise testing ) . RESULTS : Fifty patients started the program out of the 70 patients referred to PR and 43 ( 86 % ) completed the program . Significant ( P ⩽ .01 ) and clinical ly relevant improvements were observed for all outcome measures . CONCLUSIONS : Rehabilitation after treatment for NSCLC stages I to IIIa showed promising improvements regarding patient fatigue , QoL , and exercise capacity . PR should be considered for patients after treatment for NSCLC stages I to IIIa Objective The objective of this pilot study was to describe the effects of a 16-week home-based rehabilitative exercise program on cancer-related fatigue ( CRF ) , other symptoms , functional status , and quality of life ( QOL ) for patients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) after thoracotomy starting within days after hospital discharge and continuing through the initiation and completion of chemotherapy .  Material s and methods Five patients with NSCLC completed the Brief Fatigue Inventory ( measuring CRF severity ) and the MD And erson Symptom Inventory ( measuring symptom severity ) before and after thoractomy , and at the end of each week of the 16-week exercise program . Additionally , the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 ( measuring physical and mental functional status ) and the Quality of Life Index ( measuring QOL ) were completed before and after thoracotomy , after weeks 3 , 6 , 12 , and 16 ( the end of the exercise program ) . Further , the 6-minute walk test  ( measuring functional capacity ) was administered before thoracotomy , prior to the initiation of chemotherapy and /or radiation therapy , and at the end of the 16-week exercise program , after completion of chemotherapy . Results Participants had a mean age of 63 years and a mean of five comorbid conditions ; the exercise program was initiated within 4 days after hospital discharge . Participants ’ CRF severity scores were reduced to mild levels , while the mean number of symptoms decreased from 9 postthoracotomy to 6 after the exercise program , with mean levels of severity and interference decreasing to below prethoracotomy levels . Likewise , participants ’ functional status and QOL after completing the exercise program improved to near or above prethoracotomy levels . Conclusion The home-based , light-intensity exercise program for NSCLC patients receiving and completing adjuvant chemotherapy postthoracotomy showed promising trends in improving CRF severity , other symptom severity , functional status , and QOL . Further testing via a two-arm r and omized controlled trial is being conducted AIM To investigate the safety and feasibility of a six-week supervised structured exercise and relaxation training programme on estimated peak oxygen consumption , muscle strength and health related quality of life ( HRHRQOL ) in patients with inoperable lung cancer , undergoing chemotherapy . METHODS A prospect i ve , single-arm intervention study of supervised , hospital based muscle and cardiovascular group training and individual home-based training . Peak oxygen consumption ( VO(2peak ) ) was assessed using an incremental exercise test . Muscle strength was measured with one repetition maximum test ( 1RM ) . HRQOL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung ( FACT-L ) scale . RESULTS Twenty-five patients with non-small cell cancer ( NSCLC ) stage III-IV and four patients with extensive disease small cell lung cancer ( SCLC-ED ) were recruited . Six patients ( 20.7 % ) dropped out leaving 23 patients for analysis .  Exercise adherence in the group training was 73.0 % and 8.7 % in the home-based training . There were improvements in estimated VO(2peak ) and six-minute walk distance ( 6 MWD ) as well as increased muscle strength measurements ( p<0.05 ) . There was significant improvement in the " emotional well-being " parameter ( FACT-L ) while there were no significant changes in HRQOL . CONCLUSION Exercise training produces significant improvements in physiological indices and emotional HRQOL and is safe and feasible in patients with advanced stage lung cancer , undergoing chemotherapy .  No analysis on home-based training was done because of low adherence OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to develop a multistr and ed pragmatic rehabilitation programme for operable lung cancer patients , that looks into feasibility , process indicators , outcome measures , local adaptability , compliance and potential cost benefit . METHODS An outpatient-based complex intervention , rehabilitation for operated lung cancer ( ROC ) programme , was developed to optimize physical status , prepare for the inpatient journey and support through recovery after surgery . It includes exercise classes , smoking cessation , dietary advice and patient education and was tested in an enriched cohort study within a regional thoracic unit over 18 months . RESULTS A multistr and ed pragmatic rehabilitation programme pre- and post-surgery is feasible . Fifty-eight patients received the intervention and 305 received st and ard care . Both groups were matched for age , lung function comorbidity and type of surgery . Patients in the intervention group attended exercise classes twice a week until surgery , which was not delayed . Patients attended four sessions presurgery ( range 1 - 15 ) , result ing in an improvement of 20 m ( range -73 - 195 , P = 0.001 ) in a 6-min walk test and 0.66 l in forced expiratory volume in 1 s ( range -1.85 from 1.11 , P = 0.009 ) from baseline to presurgery . Fifty-four percentage of smokers in the intervention group stopped smoking . Sixteen percentage of patients were identified as being at risk of malnourishment and received nutritional intervention . There was a trend in patients in the intervention group towards experiencing fewer postoperative pulmonary complications than those in the non-intervention group ( 9 vs 16 % , respectively , P = 0.21 ) and fewer readmissions to hospital because of complications ( 5 vs 14 % respectively , P = 0.12 ) . CONCLUSION Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-type pulmonary rehabilitation before and after lung cancer surgery is viable , and preliminary results suggest improvement in physical measures . A multicentre , r and omized controlled trial is warranted to confirm clinical efficacy . IS RCT N REGISTRATION NUMBER IS RCT N00061628 Background : Two prevalent unmet supportive care needs reported by the non – small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) population include the need to manage fatigue and attain adequate exercise to meet the physical dem and s of daily living . Yet , there are no guidelines for routine rehabilitative support to address fatigue and exercise for persons with NSCLC during the critical transition from hospital to home after thoracotomy . Objective : The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility , acceptability , safety , and changes in study end points of a home-based exercise intervention to enhance perceived self-efficacy for cancer-related fatigue ( CRF ) self-management for persons after thoracotomy for NSCLC transitioning from hospital to home . Interventions / Methods : Guided by the principles of the Transitional Care Model and the Theory of Symptom Self-management , a single-arm design composed of 7 participants with early-stage NSCLC performed light-intensity walking and balance exercises in a virtual reality environment with the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus . Exercise started the first week after hospitalization for thoracotomy and continued for 6 weeks . Results : The intervention positively impacted end points such as CRF severity ; perceived self-efficacy for fatigue self-management , walking , and balance ; CRF self-management behaviors ( walking and balance exercises ) ; and functional performance ( number of steps taken per day ) . Conclusions : A home-based , light-intensity exercise intervention for patients after thoracotomy for NSCLC is feasible , safe , well tolerated , and highly acceptable showing positive changes in CRF self-management . Implication s for Practice : Beginning evidence suggests that a light-intensity in-home walking and balance intervention after hospitalization for thoracotomy for NSCLC is a potentially effective rehabilitative CRF self-management intervention . Next steps include testing of this health-promoting self-management intervention in a larger-scale r and omized controlled trial Purpose . Following surgical lung resection , patients frequently suffer functional decline and reduced activity levels . Despite this exercise interventions are not routinely provided . This study aim ed to establish the safety and feasibility of exercise administered following lung resection in an Australian setting . Method . Pilot r and omized controlled trial . Fifteen individuals ( 53 % male ) , mean ± st and ard deviation age 65.5 ± 16.1 years , undergoing surgery for suspected lung cancer . R and omization occurred postoperatively . Control arm received protocol ized inpatient respiratory physiotherapy . Intervention arm additionally received twice daily exercise until discharge home and twice weekly as outpatient for 8 weeks . Outcome measures ( safety , feasibility , functional capacity , functional mobility , and health-related quality of life [ HRQoL ] ) were assessed preoperatively and 2 and 12 weeks postoperatively . Results . Fifteen participants ( lung cancer n = 10 ) were assigned to control ( n = 8) and intervention ( n = 7 ) groups . Inpatient exercise was delivered on 71 % of occasions ( 35 out of 49 planned sessions ) . Four participants attended outpatient exercise sessions and these participants attended sessions on 81 % of occasions ( 52 out of 64 planned sessions ) . No adverse events occurred . There was a significant between group difference in 6-Minute Walk Test ( 6MWT ; P = .024 ) . In both groups the 6MWT declined from baseline to 2 weeks postoperative and then improved up to 12 weeks ; improvements were greater in the intervention group . Intervention was associated with positive trends of improvement in some HRQoL domains . Conclusions . Exercise intervention performed in the inpatient and outpatient setting s for individuals following lung resection  was safe and feasible . The uptake rate for outpatient exercise was 57 % , similar to previous trials ; however , adherence was excellent within the subgroup of participants who attended . Further research is required to investigate the best setting of exercise delivery and explore ways to improve the uptake rate Introduction . Patients with advanced-stage lung cancer face poor survival and experience co-occurring chronic physical and psychosocial symptoms . Despite several years of research in exercise oncology , few exercise studies have targeted advanced lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy . The aim of the present study was to investigate the benefits of a 6-week supervised group exercise intervention and to outline the effect on aerobic capacity , strength , health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) , anxiety , and depression . Methods . VO2peak was assessed using an incremental exercise test .  Muscle strength  was measured with one repetition maximum test ( 1RM ) . HRQoL , anxiety , and depression were assessed using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Lung ( FACT-L ) scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS ) . Results . One hundred and forthteen patients with advanced stage lung cancer were recruited . Forty-three patients dropped out . No serious adverse events were reported . Exercise adherence in the group training was 68 % . Improvements in VO2peak ( P < .001 ) and 6-minute walk distance ( P < .001 ) and muscle strength measurements ( P < .05 ) were seen . There was a reduction in anxiety level ( P = .0007 ) and improvement in the emotional well-being parameter ( FACT-L ) but no statistically significant changes in HRQoL were observed . Conclusion . The results of the present study show that during a 6-week hospital-based supervised , structured , and group-based exercise program , patients with advanced-stage lung cancer ( NSCLC IIIb-IV , ED-SCLC ) improve their physical capacity ( VO2peak , 1RM ) , functional capacity , anxiety level , and emotional well-being , but not their overall HRQoL. A r and omized controlled trial testing the intervention including 216 patients is currently being carried out Abstract Background . Patients with lung cancer are often burdened by dyspnoea , fatigue , decreased physical ability and loss of weight . Earlier studies of physical exercise of patients with COPD have shown promising results . The aim of this study was to investigate , if a well-documented COPD rehabilitation protocol can improve physical fitness and quality of life ( QoL ) in patients with lung cancer . Material and methods . Forty-five patients , with a minimum walking distance of 50 meters , absence of cognitive deficits or severe heart disease and motivated for physical training were invited to an exercise intervention .  The intervention consisted of seven weeks of twice weekly training , focusing on walking training , circuit training , h and ling of dyspnoea and instructions in daily diary-based training at home . Prior to , and after the intervention , Incremental- and Endurance Shuttle Walk Test ( ISWT and ESWT ) were performed , and pulmonary function as well as self-reported QoL ( EORTC-QLQ-C30 and LC13 ) were measured . Results . Fourteen subjects dropped out before commencement of the intervention . Seven were excluded after physiotherapeutic evaluation . Of the remaining 24 , three were excluded because of insufficient attendance ( < 65 % of scheduled exercise sessions ) thus 21 patients completed the intervention . For 17 patients with complete pre- and post intervention data , ISWT increased 9 % ( −77 to 39 % ) ( median and range ) ( p = 0.021 ) , while ESWT increased 109 % ( −70 to 432 % ) ( p = 0.002 ) . Twelve of 17 improved in ISWT , while 15 improved in ESWT . No changes in pulmonary function and improvements in QoL were observed . Conclusion . Patients with pulmonary cancer can achieve significant improvements in physical fitness measured with ISWT and ESWT after completion of the intervention program . No changes in pulmonary function and QoL were observed . In addition , we found that a large number of patients dropped out before intervention and that the patients , who succeeded , often discontinued training at home
Preliminary work from this review suggests that exercise intervention compared with usual care both pre and post-surgery is associated with improved cardiopulmonary exercise capacity , increased muscle strength and reduced fatigue , post-operative complications and hospital length of stay .
BACKGROUND Surgery remains the best curative option for appropriately selected patients with lung cancer .
Evidence suggests that improving cardiovascular fitness and functional capacity can accelerate post-surgery recovery and reduce mortality .
However , the effect of exercise intervention for patients surgically treated for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer [ NCSLC ] has not been fully examined .
PURPOSE This review examines the literature regarding exercise intervention for patients who are surgically treated for NSCLC focussing on three key areas : method ological quality , intervention design ( e.g. duration , frequency , type ) and outcomes measured .