Exercise training within 12 months of lung resection of non-small cell lung cancer

What is it about?

Many individuals have a worse health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and exercise capacity following lung surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Since exercise training has been effective at improving HRQOL and exercise capacity for chronic lung conditions as well as some cancers. This review included data from 3 randomized controlled trials involving 178 participants to look at the effects of exercise training undertaken by people following a lung resection surgery for NSCLC.

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Why is it important?

Our findings showed that exercise training may increase exercise capacity in people following lung surgery for non-small cell lung cancer as exercise capacity was higher in the intervention group (who received exercise training) compared to the control group (who did not receive exercise training). Our findings also suggest that there was no improvement in HRQOL, lung function, or the strength of the leg muscles in participants in the intervention group. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution as the overall quality of evidence was poor due to the small number of studies and the limitations in the methodology.