Combined aerobic exercise and high-intensity respiratory muscle training in patients surgically treated for non-small cell lung cancer: a pilot randomized clinical trial.

European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine. 2019;55(1):113-122
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Lung cancer treatment initiates a deconditioning storm that further reduces the capacity to deliver and utilize oxygen and metabolic substrates during exercise, contributing to poor cardiorespiratory fitness. The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of aerobic exercise with inspiratory and expiratory muscle training on cardiovascular fitness and respiratory muscle dysfunction in non-small cell lung cancer patients. The study is a two-centre, prospective, single-blind, pilot randomized controlled trial. The eligible patients were randomly assigned to the exercise (n=16) or control groups (n=21). Study results showed strong improvement in respiratory muscle strength and exercise capacity following high-intensity inspiratory and expiratory muscle training. Authors conclude that structured and supervised exercise interventions should be recommended to patients with lung cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Lung resection surgery further decreases exercise capacity and negatively affects respiratory muscle function in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The best design for exercise interventions in these patients has not been determined yet. AIM: To assess the impact of aerobic exercise and high-intensity respiratory muscle training on patient outcomes following lung cancer resection surgery. DESIGN Prospective, single-blind, pilot randomized controlled trial. SETTING Outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation unit of two university hospitals. POPULATION Thirty-seven patients with NSCLC after tumor resection. METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to exercise training or usual post-operative care. The training program consisted of aerobic exercises and high-intensity respiratory muscle training (24 supervised sessions, 3 per week, 8 weeks). Primary outcome was exercise capacity assessed with peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during cardiopulmonary exercise test. Secondary outcomes included changes in respiratory muscle strength, levels of serum insulin growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and quality of life assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire. RESULTS The 8-week training program was associated with significant improvement in VO2peak (2.13 mL/Kg/min [95%CI 0.06 to 4.20]), maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (18.96 cmH2O [95% CI 2.7 to 24.1] and 18.58 cmH2O [95% CI 4.0 to 33.1], respectively) and IGFBP-3 (0.61 µg/mL [%95 CI 0.1 to 1.12]). No significant differences were observed in the EORTC QLQ-C30. CONCLUSIONS An 8-week exercise program consisting of aerobic exercise and high-intensity respiratory muscle training improved exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and serum IGFBP-3 levels in NSCLC patients after lung resection. There was no impact on the other outcomes assessed. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT A combination of aerobic exercise and respiratory muscle training could be included in the rehabilitation program of deconditioned patients with NSCLC after lung resection surgery.

Lifestyle medicine

Fundamental Clinical Imbalances : Structural
Environmental Inputs : Physical exercise
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Exercise and movement
Functional Laboratory Testing : Blood ; Breath
Bioactive Substances : Insulin-growth factor I ; IGF-I

Methodological quality

Jadad score : 3
Allocation concealment : Yes

Metadata