Exercise training for people following curative intent treatment for non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized controlled trial.
Vinicius Cavalheri, Sue Jenkins, Nola Cecins and 4 others
PMID 28442076WHAT IT FOUND
In 17 people after lung cancer treatment, 8 weeks of supervised walking, cycling and strength training increased exercise capacity compared with usual activities with weekly phone calls.
No differences were seen in physical activity, muscle force, quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression or lung function.
Key findings
01Supervised walking, cycling and resistance training increased peak oxygen uptake compared with control, with a mean difference of 0.19 L/min.
02Supervised walking, cycling and resistance training increased six-minute walk distance compared with control, with a mean difference of 52 m.
03No between-group differences were observed in physical activity, sedentary behavior, muscle force, quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression or lung function.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
This was a pilot study with only 17 participants, so many null secondary outcomes may reflect low power rather than no effect. Only 4 of the 9 exercise participants completed at least 15 sessions, and reasons included illness, feeling unwell, time and travel. Recruitment was difficult because of travel demands, and one participant declined exercise because travel was too hard. The study did not check whether the exercise capacity gains lasted after the 8-week programme. Many participants had near normal baseline activity, muscle force, quality of life, fatigue and mood scores. There was little room for improvement. The quadriceps strength test was done at a university 15 km away, and only 5 exercise and 4 control participants completed it.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest were declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that walking, cycling and resistance training each independently caused the exercise capacity gains. They were delivered together, and the study cannot separate their effects. It also does not show improvements in quality of life, anxiety, depression, muscle force or lung function.