Prehabilitation Physical Therapy and Relaxation Intervention Program to Promote Resiliency and Operative Success Among Adults Receiving Lung Cancer Surgery, ROAR-LCS Trial

Overview

This clinical trial tests two different physical therapy and relaxation interventions, one in-person and at-home called Resiliency and Operative Success for Adults Receiving Lung Cancer Surgery (ROAR-LCS) and one virtually called BeFitMe. These programs that take place before and after standard of care lung cancer surgery, called prehabilitation programs, promote resiliency and patient outcomes (operative success) for adults receiving lung cancer surgery. Lung cancers occur in the chest and often cause symptoms for patients. Poor physical performance and negative mood are two risk factors for a decline in functional status after surgery. Physical therapy and relaxation interventions (i.e. progressive muscle relaxation) are two such interventions that may improve physical and emotional recovery including a potential shortened hospital stay for patients receiving surgery for lung cancer. Starting these intervention programs early alongside cancer treatment can improve symptoms, improve functional status and quality of life, help with emotional needs of patients, improve recovery time, and may even prolong life. ROAR-LCS and BeFitMe may promote resiliency and operative success for adults receiving lung cancer surgery.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To evaluate feasibility of the two peri-operative programs, as defined by participant adherence and retention rates within their respective interventions. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE: I. Associating gut microbiome diversity and T cell senescence profiles (peripheral blood) at baseline and end of study as potential biomarkers of treatment-related toxicity and tumor response to treatment among other clinical secondary outcomes (e.g. surgical complications, overall survival). OUTLINE: Patients choose which arm (I or II) they would like to participate in, depending upon availability. ARM I (ROAR-LCS): Patients complete in person physical therapy sessions during weeks with regularly scheduled clinic visits, at first session after surgery, and the final session. These sessions include 10 minutes of a cardiovascular warm up followed up core exercise and resistance training. Patients also complete virtual physical therapy sessions in a similar fashion during weeks in between regularly scheduled clinic visits. Patients complete 6-8 sessions prior to surgery and 12 sessions total (over 3-4 months). Patients receive a portable exercise peddler and resistance bands for at home exercise. Patients complete the exercises at home as instructed during their sessions, at first weekly then increased to twice then three times weekly depending upon tolerance. Patients also complete progressive muscle relaxation exercises during a guided virtual session once weekly and at home individually 3-5 times per week. Patients also undergo blood sample collection on study. ARM II (BeFitMe): Patients receive access to the BeFitMe application (app) on their smartphone and an Apple watch and exercise flip book for 9 months. Patients are assigned exercises, lasting at least 3 minutes, and receive access to self guided exercise videos. Patients receive motivational text messages to encourage their completion of the exercises once daily. Patients track their exercise and step counts using the app. Patients also undergo blood sample collection on study. After completion of study intervention, patients are followed up at 1 and 2 years.