Implementation and Effectiveness of a Veterans Affairs–Based Comprehensive Lung Cancer Survivorship Program

Purpose: Few programs exist to address persistent impairment in functional status, quality of life, and mental health in lung cancer survivors. We aimed to determine whether a 12-wk multimodal survivorship program imparts clinical benefit. Methods: Any patient at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center with lung cancer and a Karnofsky score of ≥60 could participate. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medications were optimized at the enrollment visit. Participants with a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score of>8 were offered pharmacotherapy and mental health referral. Participants did home-based exercise with a goal of 1 hr/d, 5 d/wk. They were called weekly to assess exercise progress and review depression/anxiety symptoms. Participants were offered pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. Results: Twenty-three (50%) of the first 46 enrollees completed the full 12-wk program. Paired changes from enrollment to completion (mean ± SD) were observed in 6-min walk test (73.6 ± 96.9 m, P = .002), BODE (Body mass index, airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise) index (−1.45 ± 1.64 points, P
Source: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Source Type: research