title: Integrating pulmonary rehabilitation into the multidisciplinary management of lung cancer: a review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer related deaths. It is increasingly recognized that a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with lung cancer represents the ideal model for health care delivery. Given the high incidence of comorbid lung disease in lung cancer patients, strategies targeted at improving or optimizing these conditions may improve outcomes. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has proven to be a useful management strategy for patients with chronic lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PR improves both exercise capacity and dyspnea. The effects of PR have also been studied in patients with lung cancer prior to and following surgical resection. Investigators have demonstrated significant improvements in six minute walk distance and lower extremity strength. In addition, patient recovery time is shorter when inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is integrated prior to or following surgery. There are also positive reports regarding the benefits of exercise training in lung cancer patients receiving definite chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Pilot studies have demonstrated improvement in dyspnea scores as well as exercise capacity objectively measured by six minute walk distance. PR also offers an educational component in which patients have the opportunity to be educated regarding management of their disease as well as discuss goals of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PR can be included as the standard of care for patients with advanced lung cancer with the goal of optimizing quality of life. Here, we provide a review of the current knowledge regarding PR in the management of patients with lung cancer.
authors: Wexner Medical Center at the Ohio State University Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, USA. Electronic address: Hiram.Rivasperez@louisville.edu.
authors: Hiram
authors: H
authors: Rivas-Perez
authors: Wexner Medical Center at the Ohio State University Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, USA. Electronic address: Patrick.Nana-Sinkam@osumc.edu.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Nana-Sinkam
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D019468:Disease Management; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Cancer; Chemotherapy; Lung; Pulmonary; Radiation; Rehabilitation