Structured Pulmonary Physiotherapy After Lung Cancer Surgery by Age Group

NCT07441863 | Completed

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

Brief Summary

This prospective, single-arm interventional study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured postoperative pulmonary physiotherapy program delivered by the research team in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery. The intervention consists of chest physiotherapy, bronchial hygiene techniques, early mobilization, and postural exercises applied under physiotherapist supervision during the postoperative hospital stay. The primary outcome is length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes include blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, fatigue, and dyspnea levels. Clinical outcomes will be analyzed according to age groups (45-59 years and 60-90 years) to determine potential age-related differences in response to the intervention.

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 (1)

Postoperative Pulmonary Physiotherapy Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm receive a structured postoperative pulmonary physiotherapy program delivered by the research team during the hospital stay following lung cancer surgery. The program includes supervised chest physiotherapy, bronchial hygiene techniques, early mobilization, and postural exercises applied according to a standardized protocol. All participants receive the same intervention; no comparison group is included.

Behavioral: Structured Postoperative Pulmonary Physiotherapy Program

Interventions

Structured Postoperative Pulmonary Physiotherapy Program BEHAVIORAL

The structured postoperative pulmonary physiotherapy program is delivered by the research team during the hospital stay following lung cancer surgery. The intervention is applied according to a standardized protocol and includes supervised chest physiotherapy techniques (deep breathing exercises, thoracic expansion exercises, airway clearance techniques, and incentive spirometry), early mobilization (progressive sitting, standing, and ambulation), and postural exercises. The program is administered once daily under physiotherapist supervision. In addition, participants are instructed to continue the prescribed breathing, incentive spirometry, and mobilization exercises independently during the afternoon and evening sessions. The intervention is initiated in the early postoperative period and continues until hospital discharge.

Postoperative Pulmonary Physiotherapy Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

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: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: No masking is applied in this study.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: This is a single-arm interventional study in which all participants receive the same structured postoperative pulmonary physiotherapy program delivered by the research team. No randomization or comparison group is included.

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: March 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)