Outcomes of Pulmonary Rehabilitation After Treatment for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stages I to IIIa: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

Purpose: Although rehabilitation after treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was found to have a beneficial effect on exercise capacity in a number of studies, insight into its effect on quality of life (QoL) and fatigue is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the outcome of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) regarding fatigue, QoL, and exercise capacity in adult patients curatively treated for NSCLC stages I to IIIa.

Methods: Study data were prospectively and routinely gathered in daily practice in patients taking part in an outpatient PR program after treatment for NSCLC stages I to IIIa. PR consisted of 12 weeks of supervised exercises 3 times a week, supplemented with scheduled visits with members of a multidisciplinary team. Data were gathered at initial assessment and discharge. Outcomes included fatigue (the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue and the fatigue domain of the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire); QoL (total CRQ score), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung, and the Short Form 36; and exercise capacity (cardiopulmonary exercise testing).

Results: Fifty patients started the program out of the 70 patients referred to PR and 43 (86%) completed the program. Significant (P ≤ .01) and clinically relevant improvements were observed for all outcome measures.

Conclusions: Rehabilitation after treatment for NSCLC stages I to IIIa showed promising improvements regarding patient fatigue, QoL, and exercise capacity. PR should be considered for patients after treatment for NSCLC stages I to IIIa.