Randomized clinical trial of home-based exercise and self-management program after resection of non-small cell lung cancer

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer have poor physical functioning and quality of life. Despite of promising outcomes for those who undertake exercise programs, implementation into practice of programs is rare. A randomized study at two tertiary hospitals in Melbourne (Australia) evaluated a three months home-based exercise and self-management program for patients after resection of NSCLC. In this study of 116 patients, there were no statistically significant improvements in self-reported physical functioning between the intervention group and the control group at three months (primary endpoint). However, there were significant improvements in several secondary endpoints, including quality of life, exercise capacity, and self-efficacy. These improvements were maintained at six months. The authors conclude that implementation of this program into lung cancer care should be considered.