The Effect of Exercise on Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Zina Bloch, Sandra Jensen, Victor Sørensen, Seppo W. Langer, Morten Quist
Abstract
<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Background</h3> Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for lung cancer; however, it often leads to adverse side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and neuropathy, potentially compromising treatment adherence and patient quality of life. Exercise has emerged as a promising therapy, with evidence suggesting that physical activity during chemotherapy can mitigate symptoms and enhance overall well-being. This exploratory analysis investigates the efficacy of a 12-week exercise intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy. <h3>Methods</h3> 218 participants with advanced lung cancer were randomized to either a 12-week exercise intervention or usual care. HRQoL was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the EORTC lung cancer-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-LC13). <h3>Results</h3> Peripheral neuropathy remained unchanged in the intervention group (95% CI: -8.5-3.3, p=0.39), but increased with 6.2 (95% CI: 1.3-11.1, p=0.02) in the control group, resulting in a between group difference of -8.8 (95% CI: -16.4 to -1.1, p=0.03). Moreover, the intervention group demonstrated a decrease in pain other of -7.4 (95% CI: -14.1 to -0.8, p=0.03), where the control group remained unchanged (95% CI: -4.5-11.3 p=0.40), resulting in a between group difference of –10.8 (95% CI: -21.1 to -0.6, p=0.04). <h3>Conclusion</h3> This study demonstrates that a 12-week exercise intervention mitigates worsening of peripheral neuropathy and reduces pain in patients with advanced lung cancer, supporting exercise as a beneficial complementary strategy during chemotherapy. <h3>Microabstract</h3> This exploratory study examined the effect of a 12-week exercise intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 218 patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Compared to usual care, the exercise group showed stabilization of peripheral neuropathy and a significant reduction in pain, as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the EORTC lung cancer-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-LC13). In contrast, neuropathy worsened in the control group. These findings suggest that exercise may help preserve HRQoL during chemotherapy, supporting its role as a complementary strategy in lung cancer care.