Physical activity level during the first three days after lung cancer surgery improves with physiotherapy : a randomized controlled trial

• Objectives: Physical inactivity is common after lung cancer surgery. Patients undergoing lung cancer surgery are routinely offered physiotherapy. Despite its routine use, any effect on postoperative physical activity has not yet been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether physiotherapy could improve physical activity during the first days after surgery.Methods: A total of 94 patients undergoing elective surgery for confirmed or suspected lung cancer were consecutevily included and randomized to treatment group (n=50) or control group (n=44). The treatment group received daily physiotherapy, consisting of mobilization and ambulation, shoulder exercises and breathing exercises. The control group received no physiotherapy. Physical activity was assessed with the Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer.Results: The patients in the treatment group reached significantly more counts (1692 vs 1197, p=0.029) and steps per hour (39 vs 25, p=0.013), during the first three days, compared to the control group.Conclusions: Physical activity during the first three days is increased by physiotherapy treament. The long term effect of in-hospital physiotherapy needs to be further evaluated.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

art (subject category)