Abstract
Purpose
This randomized controlled trial tested the effects of a specially designed strength and endurance training on the independence and quality of life in lung cancer patients in stages IIIA/IIIB/IV during palliative chemotherapy.
Methods
Between August 2010 and December 2011, 46 patients were randomized into two groups receiving either conventional physiotherapy or special physiotherapeutic training. The Barthel Index served as primary endpoint. The secondary endpoints were the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ C-30/LC-13) questionnaire, the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), stair walking, the Modified Borg Scale, and muscle strength. Nonparametrical data were analyzed with the Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney U test. For parametric, data student t tests were used. A p value of ≤.05 was accepted.
Results
Twenty-nine patients completed the trial (Intervention group (IG), n = 18; control group (CG), n = 11). Significant differences were detectable in the Barthel Index (IGmean = 92.08; CGmean = 81.67; p = .041), in single scores of the EORTC QLQ C-30/LC-13 questionnaire (physical functioning, p = .025; hemoptysis, p = .019; pain in arms or shoulder, p = .048; peripheral neuropathy, p = .050; cognitive functioning, p = .050), in the 6MWT, stair walking, strength capacity, and in the patient’s dyspnoea perception during submaximal walking activities (IG > CG).
Conclusion
According to these findings, lung cancer patients should receive enhanced physical activity intervention during palliative chemotherapy.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Silvestri GA, Tanoue LT, Margolis ML et al (2003) The noninvasive staging of non-small cell lung cancer. The guidelines. Chest 123:147–156
Socinski MA, Morris DE, Masters GA et al (2003) Chemotherapeutic management of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Chest 123:226–243
Lung cancer (CG121) (2011) the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (update of NICE clinical guideline 24) http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG121 Accessed 02. November 2012
Rajarejeswaran P, Vishnupriva R (2009) Exercise in cancer. Indian J of Med Paediatr Oncol 30(2):61–70
Kosmidis P (1996) Quality of life as a new end point. Chest 109:110–112
Peterson MD, Rhea MR, Sen A et al (2010) Resistance exercise for muscular strength in older adults: a meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev 9(3):226–37
Seamark DA, Seamark CJ, Halpin DM (2007) Palliative care in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a review for clinicians. J Royal Soc of Med 100(5):225–33
Jones LW, Eves ND, Waner E et al (2009) Exercise therapy across the lung cancer continuum. Curr Oncol Rep 11(4):255–62
Mc Ardle WD, Katch FI, Katch VL (2007) Exercise physiology: energy, nutrition, and human performance, 6th edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia
ATS Statement: Guidelines for the Six-Minute Walk Test 2002 update. www.atsjournals.org. Accessed 25. October 2012
Watson A, Polland K (2001) Physiotherapy (online). Seacroft University Hospitals, Leeds UK
Farrell JP, Jensen GM (1992) Manual therapy: a critical assessment of role in the profession of physical therapy. Phys Ther 72:843–852
Temel JS, Greer JS, Goldberg B et al (2009) A structured exercise program for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol 4(5):595–601
Granger CL, McDonald CF, Bernev S et al (2011) Exercise intervention to improve exercise capacity and health related quality of life for patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review. Lung Cancer 72:139–153
Montazeri A, Gillis CR, Mc Ewen J (1998) Quality of life in patients with lung cancer: a review of literature from 1970 to 1995. Chest 113:467–481
Widmaier EP, Raff H, Strang KT (2006) Vander’s human physiology: the mechanisms of body function, Tenthth edn. McGraw-Hill, New York
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the patients who gave their precious time to participate in the study.
This study was presented at the 2012 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, USA (poster discussion session) and at the 2012 DGHO Congress in Stuttgart, Germany (poster session).
Conflict of interest
The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Henke, C.C., Cabri, J., Fricke, L. et al. Strength and endurance training in the treatment of lung cancer patients in stages IIIA/IIIB/IV. Support Care Cancer 22, 95–101 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1925-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1925-1