NCT07532057

The Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Pulmonary Function Tests, Exercise Capacity, and Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced-Stage Lung Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy

The Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Pulmonary Function Tests, Exercise Capacity, and Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced-Stage Lung Cancer (Stage IIIB/IV) Receiving Chemotherapy: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of an 8-week physiotherapist-supervised pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programme on pulmonary function tests (PFT), exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with advanced-stage lung cancer (Stage IIIB/IV) receiving chemotherapy. Thirty patients were randomised to a PR group (n=15) or a home-programme control group (n=15). The PR group underwent twice-daily supervised sessions comprising postural drainage with breathing exercises, bronchial clearance techniques, active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT), effective coughing manoeuvres, and strengthening exercises - plus home aerobic walking 20 min/day. The control group performed home-based breathing and coughing exercises twice daily. Results: The PR group showed significant improvements in 6MWT (+85.8 m; p=0.001), FVC, FEV1, PEF (all p=0.001), and all 8 LCSS symptom domains (p=0.001). The control group showed significant declines in FEV1, PEF, 6MWT, and worsening quality of life. Between-group differences were significant for all primary outcomes (p≤0.001).

Detailed description

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced-stage lung cancer receiving chemotherapy experience progressive deterioration in pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and quality of life. Evidence for pulmonary rehabilitation during active chemotherapy remains limited. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, single-centre, parallel-group randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Oncology Department, Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ETHICS: Haliç University Ethics Committee (No: 109; 30.10.2018). Written informed consent obtained from all participants. NOTE ON REGISTRATION: This study was conducted November 2018 - May 2019, prior to routine implementation of prospective trial registration requirements. Registration completed retrospectively per ICMJE recommendations. INTERVENTION - PR GROUP (n=15): 8-week physiotherapist-supervised programme, twice daily: (1) postural drainage + breathing exercises ×20 reps; (2) bronchial clearance: percussion, vibration, shaking; (3) ACBT: breathing control → thoracic expansion → forced expiration; (4) effective coughing/huffing; (5) progressive strengthening. Home: same exercises 2×/day + aerobic walking 20 min/day. CONTROL GROUP (n=15): Home-based breathing exercises and effective coughing techniques, twice daily. No supervised sessions; no aerobic walking. OUTCOMES: Spirometry (COSMED: FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25-75%), 6MWT (30 m corridor, ATS), LCSS (9 domains, 100-mm VAS), MMSE.

Conditions

• Cancer
• Lung Neoplasms
• Lung Cancer Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Supervised Pulmonary Rehabilitation	8-week, twice-daily programme supervised by a licensed physiotherapist. Components: (1) Postural drainage + diaphragmatic/thoracic breathing exercises (20 reps); (2) Manual bronchial clearance: percussion, vibration, shaking; (3) ACBT: breathing control → thoracic expansion exercises → forced expiration technique (huff); (4) Effective coughing manoeuvres; (5) Progressive resistance/strengthening exercises (upper and lower limbs); (6) Home aerobic walking: 20 min/day at Borg RPE 11-13/20. Session stopped if SpO2 \< 88%.
BEHAVIORAL	Home-Based Breathing Exercises	Patients in this group received breathing exercises and effective coughing techniques as part of a home-based rehabilitation program. The intervention included: Breathing exercises Effective coughing techniques Patients were instructed to perform these exercises twice daily at home for 8 weeks without physiotherapist supervision.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-11-01
• Primary completion: 2019-05-30
• Completion: 2019-05-30
• First posted: 2026-04-15
• Last updated: 2026-04-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)