Evaluation of mobile app–based pulmonary telerehabilitation after lung cancer surgery: protocol for a single-blind randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Rehabilitation is well known to improve exercise capacity and pulmonary function in patients with lung cancer surgical resection. We will evaluate the efficacy of smartphone application-based rehabilitation programs in patients with lung cancer after surgical resection. OBJECTIVE The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app–based pulmonary telerehabilitation program on exercise capacity and pulmonary function in patients after surgical resection for lung cancer. METHODS A total of 60 participants will be recruited from West China Hospital of Sichuan University of Shangjin Campus for this single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled experiment (30 patients each for pulmonary telerehabilitation group and control group, respectively). A smartphone application and 3-months of application-based therapy will be given to the pulmonary telerehabilitation group. Both groups will complete a 4-week outpatient rehabilitation program (one time per week) at West China Hospital, Sichuan University Shangjin Campus's Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Both at the beginning and completion of the therapy,participants will undergo evaluations. RESULTS Exercise capacity will be the main outcome measure, with both groups’ 6MWD. The pulmonary function test (FVC and FEV1), quality of life surveys, and mood disturbances are the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This randomized controlled trial will provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of a mobile app–based pulmonary telerehabilitation program for patients after lung cancer surgery. The findings are expected to support the integration of digital health technologies into postoperative rehabilitation, improve patients’ exercise capacity and pulmonary recovery, and promote accessible, home-based rehabilitation models for thoracic surgical populations. CLINICALTRIAL The trial has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, and it has received authorization from the West China Hospital Ethical Committee.