An exercise prescription for patients with lung cancer improves the quality of life, depression, and anxiety

Abstract

IntroductionLung cancer has the highest rates of morbidity and mortality among all cancers. Patients with lung cancer inevitably confront psychosocial discomforts and progressively experience depression and anxiety that potentially impact the clinical outcomes [e.g., quality of life (QoL)]. These mental disorders in patients with lung cancer may effectively be alleviated with prescribed Chinese traditional mind-body exercises. This study aimed to determine the effect of the exercise prescription containing Chinese traditional mind-body exercise on QoL, depression, and anxiety in patients with lung cancer.MethodsIn this study, 52 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) recruited from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital were divided into two groups, namely, the experimental group (N = 26) and the control group (N = 26). The experimental group was treated with an 8-week exercise prescription containing aerobic and resistance training. The control group received the usual care during the study period. The QoL, depression, and anxiety were separately investigated using EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-LC13, the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) at baseline and post-intervention. The scores of questionnaires were analyzed using the paired sample and independent sample t-tests to explore the intragroup and intergroup differences, respectively.ResultsThe EORTC QLQ-C30 scores for physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, and global QoL in the experimental group at post-intervention were significantly higher than those at baseline. The EORTC QLQ-C30 scores for fatigue, pain, dyspnea, and insomnia in the experimental group at post-intervention were significantly lower than those at the baseline. The SDS scores (baseline: 57.74 ± 8.77 vs. post-intervention: 51.42 ± 7.31, p < 0.05) and the SAS scores (baseline: 56.63 ± 9.39 vs. post-intervention: 49.16 ± 7.83, p < 0.05) in the experimental group at post-intervention were significantly lower than those at baseline.ConclusionsThe 8-week exercise prescription containing moderate-intensity Baduanjin (5 days per week) can effectively alleviate QoL, depression, and anxiety in patients with NSCLC. Our exercise prescription is an effective supportive treatment for lung cancer patients with depression and anxiety.Clinical trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900025121).

The effect of lifestyle on the mortality associated with respiratory diseases in the general population

“…A higher frequency of running and walking was reported to reduce the risk of death from respiratory disease, pneumonia, and aspiration pneumonia in a dose-dependent manner [14]. Furthermore, studies on patients with COPD or lung cancer have reported bene cial effects of exercise or physical activity on the clinical course of the disease [9,17]. These results are consistent with our ndings showing that physical activity is bene cial to the prognosis of respiratory diseases; however, our results also differed, as the previous studies recruited walkers or patients with speci c diseases were targeted.…”

The effect of lifestyle on the mortality associated with respiratory diseases in the general population

“…The other analyses showed that impaired pulmonary function was an independent risk factor of death from cardiac and respiratory diseases 3 . Several studies have reported that physical activity, such as walking, has been shown to reduce the risk of respiratory disease 9 , 10 , 14 , 17 . A higher frequency of running and walking was reported to reduce the risk of death from respiratory disease, pneumonia, and aspiration pneumonia in a dose-dependent manner 14 .…”

“…A higher frequency of running and walking was reported to reduce the risk of death from respiratory disease, pneumonia, and aspiration pneumonia in a dose-dependent manner 14 . Furthermore, studies on patients with COPD or lung cancer have reported beneficial effects of exercise or physical activity on the clinical course of the disease 9 , 17 . These results are consistent with our findings showing that physical activity is beneficial to the prognosis of respiratory diseases; however, our results also differed, as the previous studies recruited walkers or patients with specific diseases were targeted.…”

Effect of nursing on postoperative respiratory function and mental health of lung cancer patients

“…Anxiety and depression evaluation[ 25 ]: Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) was used to assess the patient's anxiety before and after nursing care. The scale contains five positive questions and 15 negative questions, and the score was the sum of the scores on a scale of 1 to 44, with 50-59 for mild anxiety, 60-69 for moderate anxiety, and ≥ 70 for severe anxiety.…”