Pulmonary rehabilitation improves functional status in oncology patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program improved the functional and physiologic status of oncology patients with chronic symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, and/or exercise intolerance.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Comprehensive cancer center.


METHODS
Oncology patients (N=30) (either a solid or a hematologic malignancy) with chronic dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and/or decreased functional status who had participated in an outpatient PR program.


METHODS
The PR program used an individualized, progressive aerobic exercise program (2-3 sessions/wk for 8-12 weeks) that consisted of treadmill walking, riding on a bicycle ergometer and exercising on a sliding board. This program also included a didactic educational and psychosocial component.


METHODS
Functional status and exercise tolerance was assessed by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) conducted at the beginning and end of the program. Self reports of perceived exertion and dyspnea were collected during and after these tests. Physiologic status was assessed by calculating 6-minute walk work (body mass x 6-minute walk distance).


RESULTS
Participation in the outpatient PR program significantly increased the 6-minute walk distance (21%, P<.05) and 6-minute walk work (17%, P<.05). Dyspnea and perceived exertion scores were similar at the pre- and postrehabilitation 6MWT despite the greater physiologic demand of the post-rehabilitation 6-minute walk. No adverse events occurred during the study.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study, although limited in size, suggests that participation in a comprehensive outpatient PR program is safe and of benefit in a heterogeneous population of oncology patients with pulmonary symptoms.
Morris
G Stephen
GS
Department of Rehabilitation Services, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. gsmorris@mdanderson.org
Gallagher
Gail H
GH
Baxter
Mary F
MF
Brueilly
Kevin E
KE
Scheetz
Janet S
JS
Ahmed
Maaheen M
MM
Shannon
Vickie R
VR
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity