About the benefits of physical therapy during antitumor therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The data available today show the positive impact of increased physical activity on the patient’s condition, helping not only to improve physical health, but also psycho-emotional state, reducing stress and anxiety. Comprehensive rehabilitation programs can significantly improve the overall well-being of cancer patients and contribute to their return to an active social life.

AIM: To study the effect of increased physical activity in the form of physical therapy on the overall result of antitumor treatment, the level of quality of life of patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving immunotherapy both alone and in combination with cytostatics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 56 patients who were divided into two groups: main (n=30) and control (n=26). The study included patients with ECOG status 1–3. In both groups, patients received standard antitumor therapy ― immunotherapy with pembrolizumab 400 mg every 42 days or 200 mg every 21 days as monotherapy, or in combination with cytotoxic therapy (carboplatin plus paclitaxel or pemetrexed). In addition to drug treatment, patients from the main group also regularly engaged in therapeutic exercises with an instructor.

RESULTS: From the presented data and visualization it is clear that after treatment with the addition of physical education, the average level of quality of life in patients increased, the results highlight the significant positive impact of the rehabilitation program on the quality of life of cancer patients, reducing stress levels and improving functional indicators.

CONCLUSION: The study shows that regular practice of therapeutic exercises can improve stress levels and improve emotional well-being, help reduce fatigue and reduce general weakness. A reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety has been clearly demonstrated. Exercise therapy leads to increased muscle strength, which is especially important for recovery from intensive cancer treatments.

Keywords

immunotherapy / physical therapy / non-small cell lung cancer / rehabilitation / oncology, quality of life

References

[1] Dregalo AA, Ulyanovskiy VI. Social rehabilitation of patients with cancer: status and possible directions of the study of the problem. The conference Sociosphere proceedings. 2013;(44):56–60. (In Russ). EDN: RFVBTL

[2] Дрегало А.А., Ульяновский В.И. Социальная реабилитация онкологических больных: состояние и возможные направления исследования проблемы // Сборники конференций НИЦ «Социосфера». 2013. № 44. С. 56–60. EDN: RFVBTL

[3] Kruglova LS, Shatokhina EA, Kotenko KV, Korchazhkina IB. The use of the physical therapy methods for the rehabilitation of the patients presenting with cancer pathology. Russ J Physical Therapy, Balneotherapy Rehab. 2016;15(2):97–101. EDN: VSFHUX doi: 10.18821/1681-3456-2016-15-2-97-101

[4] Круглова Л.С., Шатохина Е.А., Котенко К.В., Корчажкина Н.Б. Использование физиотерапевтических методов в реабилитации больных с онкологической патологией // Физиотерапия, бальнеология и реабилитация. 2016. Т. 15, № 2. С. 97–101. EDN: VSFHUX doi: 10.18821/1681-3456-2016-15-2-97-101

[5] Epifanov VA, Epifanov AV, Korchazhkina NB. Physical therapy: Tutorial guide. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media; 2020. 576 p. (In English). EDN: WZZWAE

[6] Epifanov V.A., Epifanov A.V., Korchazhkina N.B. Physical therapy: Tutorial guide. Москва: ГЭОТАР-Медиа, 2020. 576 с. EDN: WZZWAE

[7] Epifanov AV, Epifanov VA, Galsanova ES, et al. Medical rehabilitation: Textbook. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media; 2022. 664 р. (In English). EDN: QGFBAN doi: 10.33029/9704-6688-9-MRE-2022-1-664

[8] Epifanov A.V., Epifanov V.A., Galsanova E.S., et al. Medical rehabilitation: Textbook. Москва: ГЭОТАР-Медиа, 2022. 664 с. EDN: QGFBAN doi: 10.33029/9704-6688-9-MRE-2022-1-664

[9] Amosova NA, Arutyunov GP, Aukhadeev EI, et al. Therapeutic physical culture in the system of medical rehabilitation: National guide. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media; 2022. 896 р. (In Russ). EDN: TVUNJS doi: 10.33029/9704-7147-0-TPE-2022-1-896

[10] Амосова Н.А., Арутюнов Г.П., Аухадеев Э.И., и др. Лечебная физическая культура в системе медицинской реабилитации: национальное руководство. Москва: ГЭОТАР-Медиа, 2022. 896 с. EDN: TVUNJS doi: 10.33029/9704-7147-0-TPE-2022-1-896

[11] Lehmann JF, DeLisa JA, Warren CG, et al. Cancer rehabilitation: Assessment of need, development, and evaluation of a model of care. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1978;59(9):410–419.

[12] Lehmann J.F., DeLisa J.A., Warren C.G., et al. Cancer rehabilitation: Assessment of need, development, and evaluation of a model of care // Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1978. Vol. 59, N 9. P. 410–419.

[13] Katz S. The science of quality of life. J Chron Dis. 1987;40(6):459–463. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(87)90001-4

[14] Katz S. The science of quality of life // J Chron Dis. 1987. Vol. 40, N 6. P. 459–463. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(87)90001-4

[15] Pennington KP, McTiernan A. The role of physical activity in cancer survivorship. Gynecol Oncol. 2018;149(1):198–204. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2018.01.020

[16] Pennington K.P., McTiernan A. The role of physical activity in cancer survivorship // Gynecol Oncol. 2018. Vol. 149, N 1. P. 198–204. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2018.01.020

[17] Krom IL, Erugina MV, Shmerkevitch AB, et al. The objectification of strategies of palliative care of patients with chronic diseases in the context of regional model. Sociology of Medicine. 2017;16(1):62–64. doi: 10.18821/1728-2810-2017-16-1-62-64

[18] Кром И.Л., Еругина М.В., Шмеркевич А.Б., и др. Объективизация стратегий паллиативной помощи больным хроническими заболеваниями в контексте региональной модели // Социология медицины. 2017. Т. 16, № 1. С. 62–64. doi: 10.18821/1728-2810-2017-16-1-62-64

[19] Shmerkevich AB, Vodolagin AV, Balakina DD. Interdisciplinary aspects of rehabilitation of patients with oncological diseases in non-terminal situation of the disease. Saratov J Med Sci Res. 2017;13(4):806–808. EDN: XRGADB

[20] Шмеркевич А.Б., Водолагин А.В, Балакина Д.Д. Междисциплинарные аспекты реабилитации онкологических больных в нетерминальной ситуации болезни (обзор) // Саратовский научно-медицинский журнал 2017. Т. 13, № 4. С. 806–808. EDN: XRGADB

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Eco-Vector