PUREAIR protocol: randomized controlled trial of intensive pulmonary rehabilitation versus standard care in patients undergoing surgical resection for lung cancer

Abstract

BackgroundNon-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer. Surgery is proven to be the most effective treatment in early stages, despite its potential impact on quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation, either before or after surgery, is associated with reduced morbidity related symptoms and improved exercise capacity, lung function and quality of life.MethodsWe describe the study protocol for the open-label randomized controlled trial we are conducting on patients affected by primary lung cancer (stages I-II) eligible for surgical treatment. The control group receives standard care consisting in one educational session before surgery and early inpatient postoperative physiotherapy. The treatment group receives, in addition to standard care, intensive rehabilitation involving 14 preoperative sessions (6 outpatient and 8 home-based) and 39 postoperative sessions (15 outpatient and 24 home-based) with aerobic, resistance and respiratory training, as well as scar massage and group bodyweight exercise training.Assessments are performed at baseline, the day before surgery and one month and six months after surgery. The main outcome is the long-term exercise capacity measured with the Six-Minute Walk Test; short-term exercise capacity, lung function, postoperative morbidity, length of hospital stay, quality of life (Short Form 12), mood disturbances (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and pain (Numeric Rating Scale) are also recorded and analysed. Patient compliance and treatment-related side effects are also collected. Statistical analyses will be performed according to the intention-to-treat approach. T-test for independent samples will be used for continuous variables after assessment of normality of distribution. Chi-square test will be used for categorical variables. Expecting a 10% dropout rate, assuming α of 5% and power of 80%, we planned to enrol 140 patients to demonstrate a statistically significant difference of 25 m at Six-Minute Walk Test.DiscussionPulmonary Resection and Intensive Rehabilitation study (PuReAIR) will contribute significantly in investigating the effects of perioperative rehabilitation on exercise capacity, symptoms, lung function and long-term outcomes in surgically treated lung cancer patients. This study protocol will facilitate interpretation of future results and wide application of evidence-based practice.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Registry n. NCT02405273 [31.03.2015].

Feasibility of an eight‐week outpatient‐based pulmonary rehabilitation program for advanced lung cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy in Korea

“…reported the feasibility and safety of home‐based PR for patients with advanced lung cancer who were undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy . The results of a randomized controlled trial are anticipated, and evidence supporting the use of PR in lung cancer is accumulating.…”

Investigating the Physiological Mechanisms between Resistance Training and Pain Relief in the Cancer Population: A Literature Review

“…Nociceptive pain is most common, although patients have reported neuropathic pain in 30% of cases [11] [12]. In addition to pain, one of the major concerns of lung resection is decrease in physical function which can interfere with ability to perform daily tasks [2]. Implemented an exercise regimen that in-…”

“…Nociceptive pain is most common, although patients have reported neuropathic pain in 30% of cases [ 11 ] [ 12 ]. In addition to pain, one of the major concerns of lung resection is decrease in physical function which can interfere with ability to perform daily tasks [ 2 ]. Implemented an exercise regimen that included a combination of aerobic and resistance training to observe effects on a sample (n = 40) of patients with early stages (I-II) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).…”

“…Pain may be directly derived from cancer symptoms or a result of the negative effects associated with treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Multiple studies [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] conclude that resistance training is an effective way to manage pain in the cancer population. Research has been conducted on many common types of cancer, and this review will examine impacts of resistance training in the breast, lung, and prostate cancer populations.…”

The correlation of preoperative six-minute walk distance and postoperative pneumonia after lung resection

“…The correlation of preoperative six-minute walk distance and postoperative pneumonia after lung resection Fugazzaro et al recently published the PUREAIR protocol, which is an open-label randomized controlled trial investigating patients with lung cancer in early stages (stages I-II) eligible for surgery (5). This study compares between standard perioperative physiotherapy and intensive perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation.…”