Effectiveness of a Preoperative Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Patients Awaiting Lung Resection

Effectiveness of a Preoperative Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life in Patients Awaiting Lung Resection by Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery

The purpose of this study is to establish the effectiveness of a preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation program in patients awaiting lung resection for lung cancer by Video-assisted thoracic surgery in order to improve exercise tolerance and quality of life. The investigators hypothesized that a pulmonary rehabilitation program including both endurance and strength training may improve exercise tolerance and quality of life measured with a submaximal exercise test and a quality of life questionnaire respectively.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis confirmed or suspected of lung cancer (either primary or metastatic)
• Be on the waiting list for lung resection by Video-assisted thoracic surgery
• Present at least one of the next conditions: Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)<80% of predicted and/or Body Mass Index > 30 or/and >80 years old and/or two or more comorbidities (Arterial Hypertension, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Coronary Disease, Diabetes, Renal Failure and/or cancer.
• No smoking at the time of recruitment
• Signed Informed Consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy in the previous 6 months before the Rehabilitation program.
• Thoracotomies or pneumonectomies.