REHABILITATION AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND FATIGUE IN PATIENTS WITH LUNG CANCER - EFFECTS OF EXERCISE

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with symptoms like dyspnea, chronic cough, fatigue, and weight loss signifcantly affecting patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Recent research highlights the critical role of rehabilitation, particularly exercise, in improving both physical and psychological outcomes in lung cancer patients. Exercise interventions not only enhance physical ftness but also help manage fatigue, improve muscle strength, and promote psychological well-being. However, many lung cancer patients misinterpret exercise- induced symptoms, such as breathlessness, as signs of disease progression, which leads to fear of physical activity and further deconditioning. The EXHALE program, initiated in Denmark in 2008, aimed to address these challenges by providing structured exercise sessions for patients with advanced- stage lung cancer. This 12-week program included aerobic and resistance training, which resulted in signifcant improvements in muscle strength, reduced anxiety and depression, and maintained social well-being compared to a control group. Despite a low adherence rate of 44%, the study demonstrated the positive effects of supervised exercise on patients’ mental and physical health. Similarly, the PROLUCA study, the largest of its kind, investigated early versus late postoperative rehabilitation in patients with lung cancer. While no signifcant differences in aerobic capacity(VO2peak) were observed between the groups, both demonstrated improvements in physical function and emotional well-being. Notably, early rehabilitation led to a smaller initial decline in VO2peak and continuous improvements in HRQoL up to 26 weeks post-surgery, supporting early intervention to alleviate lung cancer-related symptoms and fatigue. These fndings underscore the importance of integrating exercise into lung cancer care, particularly soon after surgery. Future research should focus on optimizing exercise protocols and supporting healthcare professionals in guiding patients to overcome barriers to physical activity, ultimately improving overall HRQoL in this patient population.