title: Physical performance and psychosocial status in lung cancer patients: results from a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess the physical performance and psychosocial status of lung cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with predominantly advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were recruited. Muscle strength was assessed via hand-held dynamometry (HHD) and endurance capacity via the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and results were compared to healthy reference values. Psychosocial status, lung cancer-specific symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) outcomes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  39 patients (NSCLC n = 22, SCLC n = 17) with predominantly advanced-stage disease and a median age of 62 years (range 44-83 years) were enrolled. Compared to a healthy reference population, mean muscle strength values of upper (elbow flexion -28.2% (±17.5), elbow extension -12.4% (±11.1)) and lower (knee extension -47.6% (±19.3), hip abduction -44.9% (±14.9), hip flexion -13% (±24.2)) extremities, and 6MWT were lower (male/female: 434/411 m vs. 597/514 m). Lung cancer-specific symptoms and QoL were comparable to published data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that lung cancer patients experience muscular weakness, lower endurance performance, and decreased QoL compared to a healthy reference population. The feasibility and benefit of a structured exercise intervention in this specific population need to be evaluated, in particular its effect on psychosocial well-being.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Clinic for Thoracic Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hummler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gärtner
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zoz
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Cornelia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ulrich
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiskemann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*