Home-based telerehabilitation program using real-time monitoring and interactive exercise for patient with lung cancer: A feasibility study

Abstract

Background: Exercise-based rehabilitation improves physical function, fatigue and quality of life in patients with lung cancer (LC).However, the implementation of this type of intervention is limited because of poor accessibility.Telerehabilitation is a promising strategy to improve access and adherence to rehabilitation. Aim: To investigate the feasibility and usability of a home-based telerehabilitation program (TELE RP ) in LC patients receiving chemotherapy (CTX) and to explore its effects on patients9 functional capacity. Method: Four LC patients receiving CTX followed an 8-week TELE RP using real-time monitoring combined with interactive exercise.The TELE RP included supervised (15) and unsupervised (9) strengthening and cardiovascular exercises sessions 3x/week.Prior to and after the program, six-minute walking test (6MWT), timed up and go (TUG) and timed stair test (TST) were done to assess functional capacity.Adherence to the program and usability of the platform were also analysed. Results: Four patients with LC (2 men) with a mean age of 59±4 yr and a BMI of 23±2 Kg/m 2 completed the TELE RP .The overall satisfaction was very good with a rating of 4.6±0.4, on a scale of 0 to 5.Patients completed all supervised and 9±2 unsupervised exercise sessions.No adverse event occurred. Following the TELE RP , TST and 6MWT improve significantly (Δ-2.15±0.84s,p=0.01 and Δ45.5±17.4m,p=0.01;respectively) while there was no change in TUG (Δ0.03±1.05s,p=0.96). Conclusion: These preliminary results support the feasibility of a TELE RP and suggest that such intervention may contribute to maintain or to improve functional capacity in LC patients receiving CTX.