Short-Term Changes in Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer during In-Hospital Exercise Training and Chemotherapy Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of exercise training on the quality of life (QoL) of patients diagnosed with stage IIIB and stage IV non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared to a passive control group (CG). The exercise-trained group (ETG) consisted of 18 patients, and the CG consisted of 8 patients. The training program in the ETG consisted of two 2-week running cycles interspersed with consecutive rounds of chemotherapy with cytostatic drugs. A comparison of the changes in the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) was the primary outcome. Analysis of the results of the SGRQ and the SF-36 questionnaire did not reveal any statistically significant differences in the assessment of QoL between the examined groups. The analysis of FACT-L questionnaires showed statistically significant changes, indicating deterioration of QoL in domains describing physical well-being in the CG. Therefore, the analysis of the results of the QoL assessment did not show any significant improvements in the group of patients undergoing comprehensive exercise training, although deterioration of QoL was noted in the CG.

Effect of Exercise Training on Quality of Life, Symptoms, and Functional Status in Advanced-Stage Lung Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

“…During this stage, three studies were excluded due to <70% of the population sample not having advanced-stage lung cancer ( n = 2) and absent control group ( n = 1). Two studies reported findings from the same trial but illustrated independent outcomes in each publication that were included [ 28 , 29 ]. Therefore, a total of 12 prospective studies were included in the review.…”

“…The quality of the prospective studies selected demonstrated an overall low risk of bias for three studies [ 28 , 29 , 30 ], overall moderate risk of bias for eight studies [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], and overall high risk of bias for one study [ 39 ] ( Table 1 ). All 12 studies reported a distinct random allocation sequence.…”

“…PS is commonly used to evaluate a patient’s functional ability to complete daily activities without assistance [ 40 ]. Nine studies reported Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group/World Health Organization Performance Status (ECOG/WHO-PS) ranging from 0 to 3 [ 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 38 ]. Two studies recorded PS according to the Karnofsky Scale (KPS) [ 30 , 39 ].…”

Virtual reality in chemotherapy support for the treatment of physical functions, fear, and quality of life in pediatric cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Mental health and mental wellbeing are important factors in cancer rehabilitation, as they directly affect the general rehabilitation process. The diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization, and prognosis of oncologic diseases generate stress, fear, and anxiety leading to a decrease in overall physical activity ( 40 ). Mental symptoms affect patients during all stages of the disease.…”

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Program and Perceived Self-Efficacy for Patients with Lung Cancer: An Intervention Study

“…So, self -efficacy has been advocated to support the needs of patients with lung cancer at these critical moments and reduce symptom burden to increase function. Evidence displays that mindfulness programs help to improve exercise capacity, breathlessness, tiredness, discomfort, psychosomatic distress, and quality of life (Rutkowska et al, 2021).…”