Efficacy of preoperative comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with lung cancer

Abstract

Low exercise tolerance is associated with poor thoracic surgical outcomes. Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation (PPR) can optimize individuals' exercise tolerance and overall medical stability before lung cancer resection surgery. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation before lung cancer surgery.

METHODS: A total of 15 male patients (66.6±5.87 years) with the diagnosis of non small cell lung cancer were enrolled a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, supervised inpatient PR program, consisted of bronchial hygiene, breathing control, energy conservation techniques, exercise training (endurance and strength), psychological support, nutritional support. Exercise capacity and VO2 peak were evaluated by using incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). Dyspnea sensation was assessed with MRC scale, psychological status with Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, on admission and after PPR. The values before and after PPR was given in

RESULTS: After minimum 2 week daily multidisplinary PPR program a significant reduction of MRC and HADS scores were recorded while ISWT and VO2 peak increased

CONCLUSIONS: Thus, pulmonary rehabilitation before lung cancer surgery is potentially an attractive technique for optimizing preoperative exercise capacity, dyspnea sensation and psychological status and conceivably, in turn, reducing postoperative respiratory complications.