SWEEP: Shuttle Walking Test for Exercise Evaluation in Pulmonary Resection

Predictive Value of the Shuttle Walking Test for Postoperative Dyspnea in Chronic Respiratory Disease Patients Undergoing Lung Resection: A Prospective Observational Study

This is a prospective observational study that evaluates whether the Shuttle Walking Test (SWT) can predict postoperative symptoms, particularly dyspnea, in patients with chronic respiratory diseases undergoing lung resection.

Currently, tools such as DLCO or cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) are used to assess surgical risk and exercise capacity before lung surgery. However, these tests are not always accessible due to equipment limitations or long waiting times. The SWT is a simpler, safer, and more cost-effective alternative that has been recently recognized as a new medical technology in Korea for evaluating exercise capacity.

In this study, patients with chronic lung diseases (such as COPD, ILD, or bronchiectasis) who are scheduled to undergo lung resection will perform the SWT before surgery. Their symptoms and quality of life will be assessed through questionnaires before and three months after the surgery. The goal is to determine whether SWT results can help predict postoperative dyspnea and provide useful information for preoperative risk stratification.

Inclusion Criteria:

• - Age ≥ 40 years
• Scheduled for surgical lung resection (e.g., for lung cancer or benign tumor)
• Diagnosis of chronic respiratory disease (COPD, ILD, or bronchiectasis)
• Able to perform Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT + ESWT) before surgery
• Able to complete pre- and postoperative symptom questionnaires (dyspnea, EQ-5D)

Exclusion Criteria:

• - Illiteracy or inability to read study materials
• Inability to communicate in Korean
• Decline or withdraw consent
• Severe lower limb disability interfering with walking (e.g., fracture, paralysis)