Riesenberg, H., & Lübbe, A.S. (2010). In-patient rehabilitation of lung cancer patients—A prospective study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 18, 877–882. 

DOI Link

Study Purpose

To determine the efficacy of a 28-day inpatient rehabilitation program for patients with lung cancer

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

The program involved physical training with a bicycle ergometer to achieve a target heart rate. No other components of the program were described. Study measures were obtained at baseline and at the end of the program at 28 days.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 44
  • AGE = Not provided
  • MALES: Not provided, FEMALES: Not provided
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: All had lung cancer and related surgery
  • OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: None provided

Setting

  • SITE: Single site  
  • SETTING TYPE: Inpatient  
  • LOCATION: Germany

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Transition phase after active treatment

Study Design

Quasi-experimental

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • Short Form 36 (SF-36)
  • Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS)

Results

There were significant reductions in all components of the fatigue scale after the intervention (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This inpatient exercise program was associated with reduced fatigue.

Limitations

  • Small sample (< 100)
  • Risk of bias (no control group)
  • Risk of bias (no blinding)
  • Risk of bias (no random assignment)
  • Measurement/methods not well described
  • Other limitations/explanation: There was no clear identification of all the study measures used. There was no demographic information provided to describe the sample.

Nursing Implications

This study adds to the already large body of evidence supporting the efficacy of exercise for managing fatigue in patients with cancer. The practicality of 28 days of inpatient exercise is questionable.