Introduction: Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and one of the leading
causes of cancer death worldwide. Surgery is the primary approach and the most effective
treatment in the early stages. After surgery, there are often postoperative complications.
Physical performance and activity levels are reduced. Quality of life is also reduced.
Preoperative and postoperative exercise has been shown to have many benefits for lung cancer
patients. Exercise improves physical performance and quality of life and prevents the onset of
deterioration after surgery. Purpose: The aim of this thesis was to determine the effects of
preoperative and postoperative exercise in patients with lung cancer. Methods: In this thesis,
we have used a descriptive method of work with a literature review. The literature was searched
in the PubMed database, with a time frame from 2015 to 2024. The key words for the search
were: »exercise« and »lung cancer surgery«. The PEDro scale was used to assess the quality of
the articles. Studies with a score of 6 to 8 were included in the review. Results: We included 6
randomized controlled trials that met all inclusion criteria. 4 studies investigated the effects of
preoperative exercise and 2 studies investigated the effects of postoperative exercise in lung
cancer patients. Exercise programmes were performed from twice to a maximum of seven times
a week. Patients' exercise capacity was assessed in most studies with a cardiorespiratory
exercise test and a 6-minute walk test. In addition, some studies assessed quality of life and
postoperative morbidity, complications and length of hospital stay after surgery. In five of the
six studies, there was a statistically significant improvement in maximal oxygen consumption,
distance walked in the 6-minute walk test or both. One of the studies did not assess these
parameters but reported statistically and clinically significant differences in overall quality of
life. Discussion and conclusion: Research has shown that exercise provides multiple benefits
to patients after lung cancer surgery and is an effective non-pharmacological method that shows
positive effects on quality of life. In further research, it would be useful to use a larger sample
size, longer follow-up of patients and focus on one type of exercise during the intervention.
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