Pneumonectomy is a high-risk surgical procedure, causing impaired respiratory functions and exercise intolerance. It is associated with decreased physical activity, quality of life and increased fatigue. The primary aim of the study is to compare the exercise capacity and respiratory functions of lung cancer patients undergoing pneumonectomy and healthy individuals. The secondary aim of the study is to compare peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, physical activity level, shortness of breath, fatigue and quality of life of lung cancer patients undergoing pneumonectomy and healthy individuals.
Pneumonectomy is a high risk surgical procedure compared to lobectomy, segmentectomy and non-anatomical resection. Pneumonectomy causes impairment of respiratory functions and exercise intolerance. Assessment of exercise capacity in pneumonectomy is prognostically important. Exercise intolerance can also occur with daily activities using the upper extremity. There is no study investigated upper extremity exercise capacity in this patient population. Postoperative pulmonary functions are determinant for early postoperative results as well as long-term postoperative quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate respiratory functions in patients after surgery. Respiratory muscle functions are impaired due to changes in chest wall mechanics and incisions applied to respiratory muscles after surgery. There is no study investigated respiratory muscle endurance in this patient population. Pneumonectomy is associated with decreased physical activity and quality of life. The number of studies investigating physical activity level in lung cancer patients undergoing pneumonectomy is limited. In this study, physical activity level will be evaluated by metabolic holter. Pneumonectomy has been shown as a predictor of deterioration in quality of life after surgery. In this study, the quality of life will be evaluated using a questionnaire specific to the disease. Fatigue is a common symptom in patients after lung cancer surgery. It negatively affects the patients quality of life and long-term prognosis. Lung cancer patients undergoing pneumonectomy by the physicians of Gazi University Thoracic Surgery Department and healthy individuals will be included in this study. Patients and healthy individuals will be evaluated and the evaluation results will be compared. According to the sample size analysis 17 patients and 17 healthy individuals with similar demographic characteristics will be included the study. Patients and healthy individuals will be selected according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The assessments will be completed in two days. Functional exercise capacity (6 minutes walk test), upper extremity exercise capacity (6 minutes Pegboard and Ring Test), respiratory functions (spirometer), respiratory muscle strength (mouth pressure measurement), peripheral muscle strength (dynamometer), respiratory muscle endurance (incremental threshold loading test), physical activity level (multi-sensor activity monitor), quality of life (European Cancer Research and Treatment Organization Quality of Life Scale (EORTC QOL C-30)), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and shortness of breath (Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC)) will be evaluated.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
34
Gazi University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Unit
Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye)
Functional Exercise Capacity
Functional exercise capacity will be evaluated with 6-minute walking test according to the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society criteria.
Time frame: First Day
Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity
The functional capacity of the upper extremities will be evaluated with a six-minute pegboard and ring test (6-PBRT). Subjects are asked to move as many rings as possible in 6 minutes. The score is the number of rings moved during the 6-minute period.
Time frame: First Day
Pulmonary function (Forced vital capacity (FVC))
Pulmonary function will be evaluated with the spirometry. Dynamic lung volume measurements will be made according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society criteria. With the device, forced vital capacity (FVC) will be evaluated.
Time frame: First Day
Pulmonary function (Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1))
Pulmonary function will be evaluated with the spirometry. Dynamic lung volume measurements will be made according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society criteria. With the device, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) will be evaluated.
Time frame: First Day
Pulmonary function (FEV1 / FVC)
Pulmonary function will be evaluated with the spirometry. Dynamic lung volume measurements will be made according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society criteria. With the device, FEV1 / FVC will be evaluated.
Time frame: First Day
Pulmonary function (Flow rate 25-75% of forced expiratory volume (FEF 25-75%))
Pulmonary function will be evaluated with the spirometry. Dynamic lung volume measurements will be made according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society criteria. With the device, flow rate 25-75% of forced expiratory volume (FEF 25-75%) will be evaluated.
Time frame: First Day
Pulmonary function (Peak flow rate (PEF))
Pulmonary function will be evaluated with the spirometry. Dynamic lung volume measurements will be made according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society criteria. With the device, peak flow rate (PEF) will be evaluated.
Time frame: First Day
Respiratory Muscle Strength
Maximal inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength will be evaluated using mouth pressure device.
Time frame: First Day
Peripheral Muscle Strength
Shoulder abduction and knee extensor muscle strength using portable hand held dynamometer will be evaluated.
Time frame: Second Day
Respiratory Muscle Endurance
Respiratory muscle endurance will be assessed by the POWERbreathe Wellness (POWERbreathe, Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) Technologies Ltd., Birmingham, UK) device and the respiratory muscle endurance test at increased threshold load. The test will be started with 30% of the maximal inspiratory pressure and the pressure will be increased to 40%, 50%, 60%, %70, 80% 90% and 100% every two minutes. Patients will be asked to continue breathing through the device during the test. During the test, the number of breaths delivered during each 2-minute period will be recorded. If the individual cannot breathe 3 consecutive times, the test will be terminated by the physiotherapist. The total duration of the test and the maximum pressure value at which it continues to breathe for at least 1 minute will be multiplied. The value found will be recorded as the respiratory muscle endurance value.
Time frame: First Day
Physical Activity Level
Physical activity will be evaluated using multi sensor activity monitor.
Time frame: Second Day
Disease Specific Quality of Life
Quality of life will be measured using Turkish version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 version 3.0 (EORTCQLQ). The cancer-specific questionnaire has 30 questions and incorporates five functional scales, three symptom scales, a global health status and several single items. All item scores are transformed to 0-100. Higher values indicate higher functional/health level in functional scales, a higher quality of life level in global health status and increased symptoms in symptom scales.
Time frame: Second Day
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Fatigue
Fatigue will be evaluated using Turkish version of Fatigue Severity Scale. This questionnaire includes 9 items and score range for each item from 1 to 7 point (7-point Likert scale). Fatigue Severity Scale score is calculates by deriving an arithmetic mean. Cut-scores of over 4 are indicative of significant fatigue (higher scores show more severe fatigue).
Time frame: Second Day
Shortness of breath
The Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale will be used to determine the perception of dyspnea during activities of daily living. Dyspnea is graded as: zero (shortness of breath with strenuous exercise only); one (shortness of breath when rushing or walking up a slight uphill); two (because of shortness of breath they walk slower than people of the same age or have to stop to breathe while walking at their own pace); three (stops to breathe after walking 100 meters or after a few minutes); and four (too short of breath to leave the house or shortness of breath when getting dressed).
Time frame: First Day