Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation exercise on postoperative quality of life and symptom cluster in patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- 1Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Beisanhuan Dong Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029 China
- 2Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5, Beixian Ge Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053 China
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation exercise on postoperative quality of life (QoL) and symptom cluster (pain, fatigue, shortness of breath) in lung cancer survivors, meanwhile, to explore the interrelationships among these symptoms.
Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from six databases. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses stratified by intervention duration, multiple sensitivity tests and trim-and-fill analysis were performed. Study-level correlation and regression analyses investigated symptom associations. Evidence certainty was assessed via GRADE.
Results: Ten RCTs with 852 participants were included. Perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation modestly improved QoL (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23 to 1.58), 6-minute walk distance (SMD = 0.21; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.43) and full vital capacity (SMD = 1.16; 95% CI 0.44 to 1.89), and alleviated the postoperative symptom cluster (pain (SMD = -0.49; 95% CI -0.92 to -0.07), fatigue (SMD = -0.65; 95% CI -0.87 to -0.42) and shortness of breath (SMD = -0.71; 95% CI -1.10 to -0.32)). Moderate-to-strong positive pairwise correlations were detected among symptoms, with pain identified as the core correlated symptom within the symptom cluster.
Conclusions: Perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation may improve functional recovery and relieve postoperative symptoms in lung cancer patients. Preoperative intervention and structured rehabilitation lasting at least two months are worthy of attention. As substantial heterogeneity and limited evidence certainty exist, conclusions should be interpreted cautiously. Large standardized RCTs are required to confirm optimal rehabilitation protocols.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-026-04578-4.
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BibTeX
@article{chen2026effect,
title = {{Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation exercise on postoperative quality of life and symptom cluster in patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis}},
author = {Yu Chen and Xinhe Yuan and Yi Xie and Yan Wang and Yuhang Fang and Bailu Sui and Ying Zhang},
journal = {BMC Pulmonary Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12890-026-04578-4},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-026-04578-4},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation exercise on postoperative quality of life and symptom cluster in patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Yu Chen
AU - Xinhe Yuan
AU - Yi Xie
AU - Yan Wang
AU - Yuhang Fang
AU - Bailu Sui
AU - Ying Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/12
JO - BMC Pulmonary Medicine
DO - 10.1186/s12890-026-04578-4
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-026-04578-4
AB - Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation exercise on postoperative quality of life (QoL) and symptom cluster (pain, fatigue, shortness of breath) in lung cancer survivors, meanwhile, to explore the interrelationships among these symptoms. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from six databases. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses stratified by intervention duration, multiple sensitivity tests and trim-and-fill analysis were performed. Study-level correlation and regression analyses investigated symptom associations. Evidence certainty was assessed via GRADE. Results: Ten RCTs with 852 participants were included. Perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation modestly improved QoL (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23 to 1.58), 6-minute walk distance (SMD = 0.21; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.43) and full vital capacity (SMD = 1.16; 95% CI 0.44 to 1.89), and alleviated the postoperative symptom cluster (pain (SMD = -0.49; 95% CI -0.92 to -0.07), fatigue (SMD = -0.65; 95% CI -0.87 to -0.42) and shortness of breath (SMD = -0.71; 95% CI -1.10 to -0.32)). Moderate-to-strong positive pairwise correlations were detected among symptoms, with pain identified as the core correlated symptom within the symptom cluster. Conclusions: Perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation may improve functional recovery and relieve postoperative symptoms in lung cancer patients. Preoperative intervention and structured rehabilitation lasting at least two months are worthy of attention. As substantial heterogeneity and limited evidence certainty exist, conclusions should be interpreted cautiously. Large standardized RCTs are required to confirm optimal rehabilitation protocols. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-026-04578-4.
SN - 1471-2466
ER -