Utility of the 3-minute chair rise test (3CRT) to assess cardiopulmonary fitness of patients with non-small cell lung cancer before lung resection

Abstract

Objectives: Peak oxygen consumption (V̇O_2peak) measured by incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is considered as the gold-standard method for predicting surgical risk in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Practical difficulties in performing CPET have led to development of field tests. This study aimed to determine the relation between the performance at the 3-minute chair rise test (3CRT), a field test requiring only minimal space and resources, and the V̇O_2peak measured during CPET.

Methods: Data from 36 patients with NSCLC were retrospectively analysed. Relationship between V̇O_2peak and performance at the 3CRT was assessed using a Pearson’s correlation test. In addition, sensitivity-specificity analysis was carried out to estimate a threshold 3CRT value for the prediction of V̇O_2peak ≥15 ml/kg/min.

Results: A significant correlation between the V̇O_2peak and the number of chair rises was found (r²=0.37, p<0.01). A performance of 49 chair rises or more predicted a V̇O_2peak ≥15 ml/kg/min with a sensitivity of 0.75 and a specificity of 0.81.

Conclusions: The 3CRT could help to screen NSCLC patients with impaired cardiopulmonary fitness, who need further physiologic assessement by CPET and specific prehabilitation programs before lung resection. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these results.