Exercise may benefit lung cancer patients

Exercise, which plays an important role in both primary and secondary prevention of cancer, may be beneficial to lung cancer patients, U.S. researchers say.

Dr. Jennifer Temel at Massachusetts General Hospital found that exercise impacts the health and quality of life of patients with an advanced or incurable lung cancer diagnosis.

Between October 2004 and August 2007, Temel and colleagues enrolled 25 lung cancer patients in a study to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of a structured, hospital-based exercise program in these patients.

The evaluation consisted of twice-weekly sessions of aerobic exercise and weight training over an eight-week period. The baseline evaluation included assessments of exercise response, functional exercise capacity — measured by the six-minute walk test — and muscle strength.

The structured sessions took place in a group format and lasted between 90-120 minutes and also evaluated the health related quality of life.

The study, published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, said that although fewer than half of the participants were able to complete the exercise program, those individuals who did experienced a significant reduction in lung cancer symptoms and no deterioration in their six-minute walk test or muscle strength.