Physical Activity patients following lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Although there are many studies about physical activity (PA) in patients with lung cancer, PA in patients who have had a recent lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the PA in patients undergoing surgery for NSCLC from postoperative day 1 to hospital discharge. Methods: We included 50 patients following lung resection for NSCLC from a prospective observational study. Patients completed handgrip and quadriceps force, 6-min walk test in preoperation. After surgery, we measured those measurements of PA on every day until their discharge from the hospital. Measurements of PA were four parameters (number of walking steps, calories of walking, total calories and exercise time) using pedometer with a uni-axial accelerometer (Lifecorder, Kenz, Japan). The exercise time divided into three intensity categories (light [<3METS], moderate [3 to 6METS], vigorous [>6METS]). Results: Forty-six patients completed assessments in this study (30 men, mean age 68.4 years). The number of walking steps significantly increased until postoperative day 4 (day 1: 1502 steps, day 2: 3240 steps, day 3: 4344 steps, day 4: 5159 steps, day 5: 5232 steps). Calories of walking significantly increased since day 3 (day 1: 35 kcal, day 2: 75 kcal, day 3: 100 kcal, day 4: 120 kcal). Total calories and total exercise time were significantly increased by day 2. Since day 3, total calories and total exercise time were not increased (day 1: 1049 kcal, 15.6min, day 2: 1675 kcal, 35.7min, day 3: 1708 kcal, 49.4min). Conclusion: It was suggest that increase PA in patients following lung resection for NSCLC varies by the measurement items.