Hoffman, A.J., Brintnall, R.A., von Eye, A., Jones, L.W., Alderink, G., Patzelt, L.H., & Brown, J.K. (2014). Home-based exercise: Promising rehabilitation for symptom relief, improved functional status and quality of life for post-surgical lung cancer patients. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 6, 632–640.
To describe the effects of a postsurgical home exercise intervention implemented immediately after hospital discharge on cancer-related fatigue (CRF), other symptoms, functional status, and quality of life (QOL) in individuals with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Patient education in a hospital regarding exercise was followed by a home visit from a nurse educated on warm-up exercises, light intensity exercise such as walking, and balance exercises with a Wii. Patients were instructed to increase walking to goal of 30 minutes a day in week 6.
Pilot study
Cancer-related fatigue decreased below presurgery levels after six weeks of exercise intervention.
Home-based exercise may reduce cancer-related fatigue in patients with NSCLC postsurgery.