Structured Pulmonary Physiotherapy After Lung Cancer Surgery by Age Group

NCT07441863 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2026/72
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This ambispective observational cohort study aims to evaluate age-related differences in clinical outcomes among patients undergoing lung cancer surgery who received a structured comprehensive in-patient physiotherapy (CIPT) program as part of standard postoperative care. The CIPT program includes patient education, chest physiotherapy, breathing exercises, airway clearance techniques, early mobilization, postural exercises, and upper- and lower-extremity range-of-motion exercises during the postoperative hospital stay. The primary outcome is hospital length of stay. Secondary outcomes include clinical parameters (blood pressure, resting heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate), symptom-related outcomes (dyspnea, fatigue, and incisional pain), and inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and albumin). Outcomes are analyzed according to predefined age groups (45-64 years and 65-90 years) to evaluate potential age-related differences.

Conditions

Postoperative Pulmonary Complications; Lung Cancer

Keywords

pulmonary physiotherapy; pulmonary rehabilitation; lung cancer; early rehabilitation; thoracic surgery; lung cancer surgery; age-related outcomes

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Length of Hospital Stay

  Length of hospital stay is defined as the number of days from postoperative admission to the ward until hospital discharge following lung cancer surgery.

  Postoperative period, from ward admission after surgery until hospital discharge (maximum 30 postoperative days)

• C-reactive protein (CRP)

  Serum CRP levels (mg/L) will be measured to evaluate postoperative systemic inflammatory response.

  Postoperative Day 1 and at hospital discharge (up to 30 days after surgery)

• Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

  Peripheral oxygen saturation (%) will be measured using pulse oximetry to assess postoperative oxygenation status.

  Postoperative Day 1 and at hospital discharge (up to 30 days after surgery)

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR)

  Postoperative Day 1 and at hospital discharge (up to 30 days after surgery)

• Serum Albumin

  Postoperative Day 1 and at hospital discharge (up to 30 days after surgery)

• Systolic Blood Pressure

  Postoperative Day 1 and at hospital discharge (up to 30 days after surgery)

• Diastolic Blood Pressure

  Postoperative Day 1 and at hospital discharge (up to 30 days after surgery)

• Heart Rate

  Postoperative Day 1 and at hospital discharge (up to 30 days after surgery)

Study Arms (2)

Middle-aged group (45-64 years)

Participants aged 45-64 years who underwent lung cancer surgery and received the comprehensive in-patient physiotherapy (CIPT) program as part of standard postoperative care during hospitalization. Outcomes were assessed during the postoperative inpatient period and compared with those of the older cohort.

Behavioral: Comprehensive In-Patient Physiotherapy (CIPT) Program

Older group (65-90 years)

Participants aged 65-90 years who underwent lung cancer surgery and received the comprehensive in-patient physiotherapy (CIPT) program as part of standard postoperative care during hospitalization. Outcomes were assessed during the postoperative inpatient period and compared with those of the middle-aged cohort.

Behavioral: Comprehensive In-Patient Physiotherapy (CIPT) Program

Interventions

Comprehensive In-Patient Physiotherapy (CIPT) Program BEHAVIORAL

The comprehensive in-patient physiotherapy (CIPT) program was provided as part of standard postoperative care following lung cancer surgery. The program included patient education, breathing exercises, incentive spirometry, airway clearance techniques, early mobilization, postural exercises, and upper- and lower-extremity range-of-motion exercises. It was initiated on the first day after transfer to the thoracic surgery ward and continued until hospital discharge. One session per day was supervised by a physiotherapist, with two additional sessions performed independently by the patient or with caregiver assistance

Middle-aged group (45-64 years); Older group (65-90 years)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 45 Years - 90 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults aged 45-90 years who underwent lung cancer surgery at Bezmialem Vakif University Hospital and received routine comprehensive in-patient physiotherapy (CIPT) as part of standard postoperative care. Eligible participants were hemodynamically stable during the early postoperative period and were classified into middle-aged (45-64 years) and older (65-90 years) cohorts for comparative analysis.

You may qualify if:

• Patients aged 45 to 90 years
• Undergoing lung cancer surgery (lobectomy, segmentectomy, or pneumonectomy)
• Medically stable in the early postoperative period
• Able to participate in a structured pulmonary physiotherapy program
• Provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Hemodynamic instability preventing mobilization
• Severe cognitive impairment limiting cooperation
• Neurological or orthopedic conditions restricting mobilization
• Requirement for prolonged mechanical ventilation
• Presence of another active malignancy
• Any medical contraindication to physiotherapy as determined by the attending physician

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bezmialem Vakif University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bezmialem Vakif University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Lung Neoplasms

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiratory Tract Neoplasms; Thoracic Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases

Study Officials

• Ayşe Sena Manzak Dursun, Assistant Professor

  Bezmialem Vakif University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 17, 2026
• First Posted: March 2, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 2, 2026
• Study Completion: March 2, 2026
• Last Updated: August 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)