Evaluation of Dual Task Performance and Respiratory Muscle Endurance in Patients With Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancer types worldwide, according to GLOBOCAN data published in 2020. According to these data, lung cancer comes second after breast cancer with 2,206,771 new diagnoses worldwide in 2020.

According to Türkiye's data for 2020, 41,264 new lung cancer diagnoses made. Lung cancer tumors are divide into two main histological groups non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Current medical treatment methods for lung cancer are surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies. Cancer treatments can be administered as a combination of these methods appropriately selected for patients.

Advances in treatment methods in recent years have increased survival and prolonged life expectancy. However, these treatment methods may affect patients in various areas from functional independence to quality of life.

Cancer treatments can cause various cognitive impairments such as memory, executive functions, and concentration.

In particular, a significant number of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy report cognitive disturbances that include attention problems, memory loss, and mixed thought processes ('chemobrain' or 'chemofog?), often accompanied by mood disorders and fatigue.

Despite recent large cohort studies using neuropsychological testing and neuroimaging in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, it remains unclear whether cognitive deficits are due to treatment, cancer itself, and/or psychological factors.

Patients with cognitive impairment due to chemotherapy reported that they had difficulty performing and completing simple tasks such as preparing meals, keeping track of bills and paying, or getting ready to go out, and needed additional time to perform these tasks.

They may also find it difficult to perform necessary work-related tasks and then need to change jobs or cease employment altogether.

Therefore, treatment-related cognitive impairment can have a significant impact on cognitive, occupational, and social functioning, all of which can result in significant personal problems and, in many cases, reduced quality of life.

During daily activities, we often need to perform multiple tasks at the same time. These tasks are usually cognitive and motor tasks.

A dual-task is the simultaneous execution of two tasks that have different objectives and can performed independently. In this case, attention should be focused on two tasks at the same time. These tasks can be measured separately.

Deteriorated cognitive function due to cancer and its treatments can affect the dual-task performance of individuals in their daily lives and reduce their quality of life.

Respiratory symptoms can be seen in lung cancer and post-cancer survival. Cancer itself and treatments can affect the cardiorespiratory system.

Considering that the number of individuals living with lung cancer increases every year, the evaluation of dual-task performance and respiratory muscle endurance, which is related to the cognitive status of individuals, and if necessary, adding them to the rehabilitation program can reduce the symptoms of individuals and increase their quality of life.