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Effects of exercise training on exercise capacity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving targeted therapy

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Abstract

Purpose

Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is an important predictive factor for long-term prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 8 weeks of exercise training improves exercise capacity, as assessed by VO2peak, and other related factors in patients with NSCLC receiving targeted therapy.

Methods

A total of 24 participants with adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to either the control group (n = 11) or the exercise group (n = 13). Subjects in the exercise group participated in individualized, high-intensity aerobic interval training of exercise. The outcome measures assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks were as follows: VO2peak and the percentage of predicted VO2peak (%predVO2peak), muscle strength and endurance of the right quadriceps, muscle oxygenation during exercise, insulin resistance as calculated by the homeostasis model, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and quality of life (QoL) questionnaire inventory.

Results

No exercise-related adverse events were reported. After exercise training, VO2peak and %predVO2peak increased by 1.6 mL kg−1 min−1 and 5.3% (p < 0.005), respectively; these changes were associated with improvements in circulatory, respiratory, and muscular functions at peak exercise (all p = 0.001). The exercise group also had less dyspnea (p = 0.01) and favorably lower fatigue (p = 0.05) than baseline.

Conclusions

Patients with NSCLC receiving targeted therapy have quite a low exercise capacity, even with a relatively high QoL. Exercise training appears to improve exercise capacity and alleviate some cancer-related symptoms.

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Conflict of interest

All authors claimed no disclosure and had full control of all primary data. All authors agree to allow the journal to review data if requested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Floor 3, No.17, Xuzhou Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

    Chueh-Lung Hwang & Ying-Tai Wu

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 7, Chung-Shan S. Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

    Chong-Jen Yu, Jin-Yuan Shih & Pan-Chyr Yang

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  1. Chueh-Lung Hwang
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Correspondence to Ying-Tai Wu.

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Hwang, CL., Yu, CJ., Shih, JY. et al. Effects of exercise training on exercise capacity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving targeted therapy. Support Care Cancer 20, 3169–3177 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1452-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1452-5

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