In-hospital Physiotherapy for Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Lung Cancer
• Interventions: Other: Physiotherapy

• Registration Number: NCT01961700
• Lead Sponsor: Region Örebro County

Brief Summary

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world, and the cancer that causes the most number of deaths. In Sweden, about 3700 persons are diagnosed every year. About one fifth of the patients are eligible for surgery.

Patients undergoing thoracic surgery suffer from pain and low health related quality of life after surgery.

In Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, pre- and postoperative physiotherapy is routinely provided for patients undergoing thoracic surgery, but the effects have not been thoroughly investigated. The scientific evidence of the effect of physiotherapy in connection with lung surgery is limited. The treatment typically consists of early mobilisation, breathing exercises and exercises for the shoulders. Reeve et al has shown that a postoperative shoulder exercise program can improve function and decrease pain after thoracotomy. Breathing exercises has not been found effective in reducing the rate of postoperative pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of in-hospital physiotherapy treatment, for patients undergoing thoracic surgery, on physical activity, health related quality of life, pain and lung function.

Detailed Description

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world, and the cancer that causes the most number of deaths. In Sweden, about 3700 persons are diagnosed every year. About one fifth of the patients are eligible for surgery.

Patients undergoing thoracic surgery suffer from pain and low health related quality of life after surgery.

In Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, pre- and postoperative physiotherapy is routinely provided for patients undergoing thoracic surgery, but the effects have not been thoroughly investigated. The scientific evidence of the effect of physiotherapy in connection with lung surgery is limited. The treatment typically consists of early mobilisation, breathing exercises and exercises for the shoulders. Reeve et al has shown that a postoperative shoulder exercise program can improve function and decrease pain after thoracotomy. Breathing exercises has not been found effective in reducing the rate of postoperative pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of in-hospital physiotherapy treatment, for patients undergoing thoracic surgery, on physical activity, health related quality of life, pain and lung function.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2013-10-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-10-10
• Study First Posted: 2013-10-11
• Study Start: 2014-12
• Primary Completion: 2017-12
• Study Completion: 2018-01
• Status Verified: 2019-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-04-09
• Last Update Posted: 2019-04-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 107

Inclusion Criteria

• Thoracic surgery

Exclusion Criteria

• Previous lung volume reducing surgery

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Physiotherapy	Physiotherapy	Physiotherapy (breathing exercises, mobilisation, exercises for upper limbs, advice on physical activity and exercise) provided daily during hospitalization.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Six minute walking test	up to 12 months postoperatively

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Örebro University Hospital; 🇸🇪 Örebro, Sweden