Telerehabilitation for Veteran Lung Cancer Survivors Following Curative Intent Therapy
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Lung cancer is the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. Veterans. Substantial advances have been made in early detection through screening and treatment. The longevity of Veterans following lung cancer diagnosis and treatment has increased. Following treatment however, many Veterans experience increased symptom burden, particularly in shortness of breath, fatigue, and fear/anxiety about lung cancer, and impairments in physical and psychosocial functioning. Rehabilitation services are needed to address these survivorship challenges. This study will evaluate multi-targeted telerehabilitation with Veterans following lung cancer treatment, with goals to reduce symptom burden, improve physical and psychosocial function, and enhance health-related quality of life. This research will also develop the career of a physician researcher to acquire expertise in rehabilitation for many Veteran survivors of lung and other cancers.
Description
Lung cancer is the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. Veterans - over 8,200 incident cases are diagnosed each year. Approximately 50% of lung cancers are diagnosed at stage I-III and therefore eligible for curative intent therapy. Survival rates among Veterans with early stage lung cancer have increased along with advances in surgical and radiation techniques. Following curative intent therapy, many Veterans experience physical function loss and increased symptom burden, particularly in dyspnea, fatigue, and fear/anxiety. Approaches are needed to improve their physical and psycho…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult Veterans with a history of stage I-III A/B lung cancer, and * Completed curative intent therapy (i.e., lung cancer resection surgery, definitive radiation, or concurrent chemoradiation) within 1-6 months Exclusion Criteria: * Adult Veterans with any comorbid conditions that preclude participation in exercise and telerehabilitation: * Orthopedic conditions (e.g., bilateral below-knee amputation), or * Severe cardiopulmonary disease (e.g., unstable arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, heart failure with systolic ejection fraction \< 25%, chronic hypoxemia…
Interventions
- BehavioralTargeted-telerehabilitation
Participant-chosen targets: 1) inspiratory muscle training + walking (to reduce dyspnea and improve physical activity/stept count; 2) resistance training (to reduce fatigue and improve role/social function; 3) mindfulness training (to reduce fear of cancer recurrence and anxiety)
- BehavioralWaitlist
8-week waiting period prior to targeted telerehabilitation
Location
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, COAurora, Colorado