Patient-Centered Physical Activity Intervention in Lung Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND: Increasing physical activity levels is a significant unmet need in cancer survivors, and it can likely be enhanced through a better understanding of the interventions developed. Some studies on patient-centered physical activity interventions have shown promising results in increasing daily activity levels among lung cancer survivors. However, the programs present a high heterogeneity, and there is no consensus on the parameters and their effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of patient-centered physical activity interventions on clinical severity and functional capacity in lung cancer patients. METHODS: A systematic review was performed on randomized controlled trials. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library (last search November 2023). The Cochrane tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system were used for quality assessment. Pooled data were meta-analyzed for physical activity levels, functional capacity, and cancer-related symptoms. RESULTS: Fourteen studies, encompassing 1123 lung cancer patients, were included. The treatment status of patients varied. The components of the physical activity programs showed heterogeneity. Results revealed significant differences favoring patient-centered physical activity interventions over the control group for physical activity levels (P < .05), functional capacity (P < .001), and cancer-related symptoms (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that patient-centered physical activity programs positively enhance physical activity levels, improve functional capacity, and reduce cancer-related symptoms in patients with lung cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Patient-centered physical activity interventions show promise in improving the care and management of lung cancer patients. These interventions provide a basis for encouraging lung cancer patients to actively participate in their treatment.