The Effectiveness of Tele-Pulmonary Rehabilitation After Lung Resection

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Tele-pulmonary Rehabilitation After Lung Resection

As a result of the review in the literature, no study was found in which tele-pulmonary rehabilitation was applied after physiotherapist-supervised lung resection via video conferencing.

Therefore, in this study, it was planned to investigate the effectiveness of tele-pulmonary rehabilitation in patients diagnosed with lung cancer and undergoing lung resection.

Research; It was planned as a prospective and randomized controlled study. The research universe is Istanbul Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital Chest Surgery Clinic will consist of cases with a preliminary diagnosis of lung cancer. The sample of the study, on the other hand, will consist of patients who agreed to participate in the study and who met the inclusion criteria, who were planned for lung resection.

1. Study group (n=18); The treatment features of the tele-pulmonary rehabilitation group via videoconferencing are; Within the scope of the tele-pulmonary rehabilitation program, an exercise program consisting of lower-upper extremity strengthening training and flexibility training, breathing exercises training (diaphragmatic breathing, thoracic expansion exercises and forced expiration) and aerobic exercise training will be created before discharge, exercise session will be followed. Re-evaluation will be done after 8 weeks.Exercise intensity will be planned as 2 days a week with supervision and 1 day without supervision, 3 days a week in total. Exercise safety will be ensured by taking the severity of shortness of breath of the patients as a reference.
2. Control group (n=18); Patients in the tele-pulmonary rehabilitation control group will be given respiratory and aerobic exercise advice before discharge. Re-evaluation will be done after 8 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female patients aged 55-75 years diagnosed with lung cancer
• Patients who underwent lobectomy, segmentectomy, bilobectomy, and pneumonectomy by either VATS or thoracotomy surgeries
• Patients who can use phones and make video calls

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with heart failure or atrial fibrillation
• Patients with acute infection at the time of assessment
• Patients who have had myocardial infarction in the last six months
• Patients with any comorbidities such as uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension
• Patients with any problem that would limit physical activity