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Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD
Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD
Posted: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
For patients recovering from lung cancer resection, the need for accessible, cost-effective self-care has never been clearer. A recent double-blinded randomized clinical trial, conducted at Australian tertiary hospitals and published by Selina M. Parry, PhD, of The University of Melbourne, and colleagues in JAMA Network Open, highlights the potential of home-based exercise programs to bridge this gap. Investigators recommended the widespread implementation of these interventions, citing their feasibility and sustained benefits in improving physical function and exercise capacity.
“The focus on behavior change strategies within our intervention may have resulted in the longer-term effect on physical function and exercise capacity observed beyond the conclusion of the 3-month program. For example, the intervention may have empowered patients to maintain a physically active lifestyle through self-efficacy and habit formation,” observed the investigators. “This is an important finding, as most prior hospital-based lung cancer exercise trials have not observed a sustained difference in exercise capacity beyond the conclusion of the exercise program.”
The study randomly assigned patients who underwent non–small cell lung cancer resection between November 2017 and July 2023 into two groups. One group participated in a 3-month home-based exercise program, supported by weekly physiotherapy consultations, and the control group received usual care. Women constituted 58.6% of the study cohort.
At the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, the intervention group outperformed the control group in physical function (objectively measured), quality of life, exercise capacity, and self-efficacy. For instance, the 6-minute walking test showed a mean difference of 50.9 meters (55.6 yards) at 6 months, favoring the intervention group in exercise capacity. Despite these benefits, no significant difference was observed in self-perceived physical function. However, the intervention group reported higher confidence in overcoming exercise barriers (40%–60% vs 20%–40% in the control group).
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit jamanetwork.com.
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