Effect of lung rehabilitation training combined with nutritional intervention on patients after thoracoscopic resection of lung cancer

Abstract

Thoracoscopic lobectomy is the main type of surgical treatment for lung cancer. Postoperative patients have complications and decreased pulmonary function, which affects their discharge time and quality of life. Lung ventilator training has been shown to promote the postoperative recovery of patients; however, no specific treatment plan has been approved to enhance lung rehabilitation. Therefore, it is necessary to explore methods to promote the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with lung cancer. The patients with lung cancer who were admitted to Banan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University (Chongqing, China) between January 2022 and January 2023, and who planned to undergo a thoracoscopic lobectomy, were randomly categorized into two groups. The experimental group began lung rehabilitation training 2 weeks before the operation and received individualized nutrition programs. The control group did not receive lung rehabilitation training and nutrition programs. The quality of life, lung function, 6-min walking distance (6MWD), nutritional status, postoperative complications, hospital expenses and hospital stay between the two groups were compared. Finally, 86 and 83 patients were included in the test and control groups, respectively. Regarding the postoperative indicators, the patients in the test group scored higher in all areas of quality of life, exhibited higher lung function and 6MWD, and had significantly higher serum total protein, albumin and hemoglobin levels, and body mass index, compared with the control group. Furthermore, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, the duration of hospitalization and the hospitalization costs were lower in the experimental group. In conclusion, lung rehabilitation training combined with nutritional intervention can promote the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with lung cancer. The research has been duly registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Register platform (registration no. ChiCTR2300078681; registered Dec 15, 2023).