Effect of Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy on Respiratory Muscle Performance, Lung Function and Functional Capacity in Patients With Local Esophagus Cancer

Effect of Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy on Respiratory Muscle Performance, Lung Function and Functional Capacity in Patients With Local Esophagus Cancer

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of concurrent chemoradiation therapy on respiratory muscle performance, lung function and functional capacity in patients with local esophagus cancer.

This is a prospective observational study design. A total of 45 patients with newly diagnosed esophageal cancer will be recruited from the Mackay Memorial Hospital. All tests will be performed at baseline (prior to cancer treatment), weekly during treatment, prior to surgery, and one month after surgery. Tests will include demographic data collection, respiratory muscle performance (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure tests combined with diaphragmatic surface electromyography, and pulmonary functional test), dyspnea, and the functional exercise test (6-min walk test).Repeated measure ANOVA will be used for analyzing difference of parameters among various time points.

Inclusion Criteria:

• newly diagnosed primary esophageal cancer, aged more than 20 years, and communicate without difficulty

Exclusion Criteria:

• inability to perform inspiratory muscle training, the presence of unstable angina or myocardial infarction in recently one month, cannot cooperate with training protocols, and pregnancy