Catherine L. Granger

Exercise intervention to improve exercise capacity and health related quality of life for patients with Non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review

CONTEXT The role of exercise intervention for patients with Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been systematically reviewed to date. OBJECTIVE To identify, evaluate and synthesize the evidence examining (1) the effect of exercise intervention on exercise capacity, health related quality of life (HRQoL), physical activity levels, cancer symptoms and mortality for patients with NSCLC; and (2) the safety and feasibility of exercise intervention for a population with NSCLC. DATA SOURCES A systematic review of articles using the electronic databases MEDLINE (1950-2010), CINAHL (1982-2010), EMBASE (1980-2010), TRIP (1997-2010), Science Direct (1994-2010), PubMed (1949-2010), Cochrane Library (2010), Expanded Academic ASAP (1994-2010), Meditext Informit (1995-2010), PEDRO (1999-2010) and DARE (2010). Additional studies were identified by manually cross referencing all full text reports and personal files were searched. No publication date restrictions were imposed. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), case-control studies and case series assessing exercise intervention to improve exercise capacity, HRQoL, level of daily physical activity, cancer symptoms or mortality of patients with NSCLC were included. Only articles available in English and published in a peer reviewed journal were included. DATA EXTRACTION A data collection form was developed by one reviewer and data extracted. Data extraction was cross checked by a second reviewer. RESULTS AND DATA SYNTHESIS: 16 studies on 13 unique patient groups totalling 675 patients with NSCLC met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were case series (n=9) and two RCTs were included. Studies exercising participants pre-operatively reported improvements in exercise capacity but no change in HRQoL immediately post exercise intervention. Studies exercising participants post-treatment (surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy) demonstrated improvements in exercise capacity but conflicting results with respect to the impact on HRQoL immediately post exercise intervention. Heterogeneity among studies was observed and a meta-analysis was deemed inappropriate. PRISMA guidelines were followed in reporting this systematic review. CONCLUSION Exercise intervention for patients with NSCLC is safe before and after cancer treatment. Interventions pre-operatively or post-cancer treatment are associated with positive benefits on exercise capacity, symptoms and some domains of HRQoL. The majority of studies are small case series therefore results should be viewed with caution until larger RCTs are completed. Further research is required to establish the effect of exercise during and after cancer treatment and in the advanced stage of disease, the optimum type of exercise training and the optimum setting for delivery.

Low physical activity levels and functional decline in individuals with lung cancer

OBJECTIVES Physical activity has been infrequently measured objectively in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to investigate levels of physical activity, functional and patient reported outcomes at diagnosis and over six months in participants with recently diagnosed NSCLC and compare results with both physical activity guidelines and outcomes of similar-aged healthy individuals. METHODS This prospective observational study assessed 50 individuals from three Australian tertiary hospitals with stage I-IIIB NSCLC at diagnosis, then 10 weeks and six months later. Thirty five healthy individuals without cancer were assessed once. Outcome measures included tri-axial accelerometery (number of steps per day), six minute walk distance (6MWD), muscle strength and questionnaires including health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS Individuals with NSCLC were engaged in significantly less physical activity than similar-aged healthy individuals, with 60% not meeting physical activity guidelines. At diagnosis they had worse quadriceps strength, nutritional status and HRQoL. Over six months, participants with NSCLC experienced decline in self-reported physical activity, 6MWD and muscle strength, and worsening symptoms. CONCLUSION At diagnosis individuals with NSCLC engage in less physical activity, are weaker and more depressed than healthy individuals and their self-reported physical activity declines over six months. Future studies are required to investigate the efficacy of interventions to increase physical activity.

Electrical muscle stimulation in the intensive care setting: a systematic review.

Context:The role of electrical muscle stimulation in intensive care has not previously been systematically reviewed. Objectives:To identify, evaluate, and synthesize the evidence examining the effectiveness and the safety of electrical muscle stimulation in the intensive care, and the optimal intervention variables. Data Sources:A systematic review of articles using eight electronic databases (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica Database, Expanded Academic ASAP, MEDLINE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, PubMed, and Scopus) personal files were searched, and cross-referencing was undertaken. Eligibility Criteria:Quantitative studies published in English, assessing electrical muscle stimulation in intensive care, were included. Data Extraction and Data Synthesis:One reviewer extracted data using a standardized form, which were cross-checked by a second reviewer. Quality appraisal was undertaken by two independent reviewers using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Newcastle–Ottawa scales, and the National Health and Medical Research Council Hierarchy of Evidence Scale. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines were followed. Results:Nine studies on six individual patient groups of 136 participants were included. Eight were randomized controlled trials, with four studies reporting on the same cohort of participants. Electrical muscle stimulation appears to preserve muscle mass and strength in long-stay participants and in those with less acuity. No such benefits were observed when commenced prior to 7 days or in patients with high acuity. One adverse event was reported. Optimal training variables and safety of the intervention require further investigation. Conclusions:Electrical muscle stimulation is a promising intervention; however, there is conflicting evidence for its effectiveness when administered acutely. Outcomes measured are heterogeneous with small sample sizes.

The acute respiratory management of cervical spinal cord injury in the first 6 weeks after injury: a systematic review.

Study design:Systematic review.Objectives:Identify, evaluate, and synthesize evidence regarding the effectiveness of various treatment strategies for the respiratory management of acute tetraplegia.Setting:Melbourne, Australia.Methods:A search of multiple electronic databases (Medline, Cinahl, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, http://www.guideline.gov and http://www.icord.org/scire) was undertaken accompanied by the reference lists of all relevant articles identified. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the PEDro Scale. Descriptive analysis was performed.Results:Twenty-one studies including 1263 patients were identified. The majority of the studies were case series (n=13). A variety of interventions were used for the management of respiratory complications. Mortality (ARR=0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18, 0.61), the incidence of respiratory complications (ARR=0.36, 95% CI (0.08, 0.58)), and requirement for a tracheostomy (ARR=0.18, 95% CI (−0.05, 0.4)) were significantly reduced by using a respiratory protocol. A clinical pathway reduced duration of mechanical ventilation by 6 days 95% CI (−0.56, 12.56), intensive care unit length of stay by 6.8 days 95% CI (0.17–13.77) and costs. Intubation, mechanical ventilation, and tracheostomy are the mainstay of respiratory management for complete injuries above the level of C5.Conclusion:This review showed a clinical pathway with a structured respiratory protocol that includes a combination of treatment techniques provided regularly is effective in reducing respiratory complications and cost. The overall study quality was moderate and further studies using specific interventions that target respiratory complications are associated with specific regions of the cervical spine using more methodologically rigorous designs are required.

Assessment of impairment and activity limitations in the critically ill: a systematic review of measurement instruments and their clinimetric properties

PurposeTo identify measures used to evaluate the broad constructs of functional impairment and limitations in the critically ill across the continuum of recovery, and to evaluate, synthesise and compare the clinimetric properties of the measures identified.MethodsA systematic review of articles was carried out using the databases Medline (1950–2014), CINAHL (1982–2014), EMBASE (1980–2014), Cochrane Library (2014) and Scopus (1960–2014). Additional studies were identified by searching personal files. Eligibility criteria for selection: Search 1: studies which assessed muscle mass, strength or function using objective non-laboratory measures; Search 2: studies which evaluated a clinimetric property (reliability, measurement error, validity or responsiveness) for one of the measures identified in search one. Two independent reviewers assessed articles for inclusion and assessed risk of bias using the consensus-based standards for selection of health status measurement instruments checklist.ResultsThirty-three measures were identified; however, only 20 had established clinimetric properties. Ultrasonography, dynamometry, physical function in intensive care test scored and the Chelsea critical care physical assessment tool performed the strongest for the measurement of impairment of body systems (muscle mass and strength) and activity limitations (physical function), respectively.ConclusionsThere is considerable variability in the type of measures utilized to measure physical impairments and limitations in survivors of critical illness. Future work should identify a core set of standardized measures, which can be utilized across the continuum of critical illness recovery embedded within the International Classification of Functioning framework. This will enable improved comparisons between future studies, which in turn will assist in identifying the most effective treatment strategies to ameliorate the devastating longer-term outcomes of a critical illness.

Functional outcomes in ICU – what should we be using? - an observational study

IntroductionWith growing awareness of the importance of rehabilitation, new measures are being developed specifically for use in the intensive care unit (ICU). There are currently 26 measures reported to assess function in ICU survivors. The Physical Function in Intensive care Test scored (PFIT-s) has established clinimetric properties. It is unknown how other functional measures perform in comparison to the PFIT-s or which functional measure may be the most clinically applicable for use within the ICU. The aims of this study were to determine (1) the criterion validity of the Functional Status Score for the ICU (FSS-ICU), ICU Mobility Scale (IMS) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) against the PFIT-s; (2) the construct validity of these tests against muscle strength; (3) predictive utility of these tests to predict discharge to home; and (4) the clinical applicability. This was a nested study within an ongoing controlled study and an observational study.MethodsSixty-six individuals were assessed at awakening and ICU discharge. Measures included: PFIT-s, FSS-ICU, IMS and SPPB. Bivariate relationships (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient) and predictive validity (logistic regression) were determined. Responsiveness (effect sizes); floor and ceiling effects; and minimal important differences were calculated.ResultsMean ± SD PFIT-s at awakening was 4.7 ± 2.3 out of 10. On awakening a large positive relationship existed between PFIT-s and the other functional measures: FSS-ICU (rho = 0.87, p < 0.005), IMS (rho = 0.81, p < 0.005) and SPPB (rho = 0.70, p < 0.005). The PFIT-s had excellent construct validity (rho = 0.8, p < 0.005) and FSS-ICU (rho = 0.69, p < 0.005) and IMS (rho = 0.57, p < 0.005) had moderate construct validity with muscle strength. The PFIT-s and FSS-ICU had small floor/ceiling effects <11% at awakening and ICU discharge. The SPPB had a large floor effect at awakening (78%) and ICU discharge (56%). All tests demonstrated responsiveness; however highest effect size was seen in the PFIT-s (Cohen’s d = 0.71).ConclusionsThere is high criterion validity for other functional measures against the PFIT-s. The PFIT-s and FSS-ICU are promising functional measures and are recommended to measure function within the ICU.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT02214823. Registered 7 August 2014).

Functional and postoperative outcomes after preoperative exercise training in patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. For early stages of the disease, lung resection surgery remains the best treatment with curative intent, but significant morbidity is associated, especially among patients with poor pulmonary function and cardiorespiratory fitness. In those cases, the implementation of a preoperative exercise-based intervention could optimize patients functional status before surgery and improve postoperative outcomes and enhance recovery. The aim of this systematic review is to provide the current body of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of a preoperative exercise-based intervention on postoperative and functional outcomes in patients with lung cancer submitted to lung resection surgery. A systematic review of the literature using CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Pubmed, PEDro and SCOPUS was undertaken in September 2015 yielding a total of 1656 references. Two independent reviewers performed the assessment of the potentially eligible records against the inclusion criteria and finally, 21 articles were included in the review. Articles were included if they examined the effects of an exercise-based intervention on at least one of the selected outcomes: pulmonary function, (functional) exercise capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and postoperative outcomes (length of stay and postoperative complications). Fourteen studies were further selected for a meta-analysis to quantify the mean effect of the intervention and generate 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the Cochrane Review Manager 5.0.25. For two of the outcomes included (exercise capacity and HRQoL), studies showed large heterogeneity and thus, a meta-analysis was considered inappropriate. Pulmonary function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s) was significantly enhanced after the intervention [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.38; 95% CI 0.14, 0.63 and SMD = 0.27, 95% CI 0.11, 0.42, respectively]. In comparison with the patients in the control groups, patients in the experimental groups spent less days in the hospital (mean difference = -4.83, 95% CI -5.9, -3.76) and had a significantly reduced risk for developing postoperative complications (risk ratios = 0.45; 95% CI 0.28, 0.74). In conclusion, preoperative exercise-based training improves pulmonary function before surgery and reduces in-hospital length of stay and postoperative complications after lung resection surgery for lung cancer.

Functional capacity, physical activity and muscle strength assessment of individuals with non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review of instruments and their measurement properties

BackgroundThe measurement properties of instruments used to assess functional capacity, physical activity and muscle strength in participants with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been systematically reviewed.MethodObjectives: To identify outcome measures used to assess these outcomes in participants with NSCLC; and to evaluate, synthesise and compare the measurement properties of the outcome measures identified. Data Sources: A systematic review of articles using electronic databases MEDLINE (1950–2012), CINAHL (1982–2012), EMBASE (1980–2012), Cochrane Library (2012), Expanded Academic ASAP (1994–2012), Health Collection Informit (1995–2012) and PEDRO (1999–2012). Additional studies were identified by searching personal files and cross referencing. Eligibility Criteria for Study Selection: Search one: studies which assessed functional capacity, physical activity or muscle strength in participants with NSCLC using non-laboratory objective tests were included. Search two: studies which evaluated a measurement property (inter- or intra-rater reliability; measurement error; criterion or construct validity; or responsiveness) in NSCLC for one of the outcome measures identified in search one. Studies published in English from 1980 were eligible. Data Extraction and Methodological Quality Assessment: data collection form was developed and data extracted. Methodological quality of studies was assessed by two independent reviewers using the 4-point COSMIN checklist.ResultsThirteen outcome measures were identified. Thirty-one studies evaluating measurement properties of the outcome measures in participants with NSCLC were included. Functional capacity was assessed using the six- and twelve-minute walk tests; incremental- and endurance-shuttle walk tests; and the stair-climbing test. Criterion validity for three of these measures was established in NSCLC but not the reliability or responsiveness. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers and pedometers. Only the construct validity for accelerometers and pedometers was reported. Muscle strength was measured using hand-held dynamometry, hand-grip dynamometry, manual muscle test, one-repetition maximum and the chair-stand test, however only two studies reported reliability and measurement error and one study reported construct validity.ConclusionCurrently there is a gap in the literature regarding the measurement properties of commonly used outcome measures in NSCLC participants, particularly reliability, measurement error and responsiveness. Further research needs to be conducted to determine the most suitable outcome measures for use in trials involving NSCLC participants.

Safety and feasibility of an exercise intervention for patients following lung resection: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Purpose. Following surgical lung resection, patients frequently suffer functional decline and reduced activity levels. Despite this exercise interventions are not routinely provided. This study aimed to establish the safety and feasibility of exercise administered following lung resection in an Australian setting. Method. Pilot randomized controlled trial. Fifteen individuals (53% male), mean ± standard deviation age 65.5 ± 16.1 years, undergoing surgery for suspected lung cancer. Randomization occurred postoperatively. Control arm received protocolized inpatient respiratory physiotherapy. Intervention arm additionally received twice daily exercise until discharge home and twice weekly as outpatient for 8 weeks. Outcome measures (safety, feasibility, functional capacity, functional mobility, and health-related quality of life [HRQoL]) were assessed preoperatively and 2 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Results. Fifteen participants (lung cancer n = 10) were assigned to control (n = 8) and intervention (n = 7) groups. Inpatient exercise was delivered on 71% of occasions (35 out of 49 planned sessions). Four participants attended outpatient exercise sessions and these participants attended sessions on 81% of occasions (52 out of 64 planned sessions). No adverse events occurred. There was a significant between group difference in 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT; P = .024). In both groups the 6MWT declined from baseline to 2 weeks postoperative and then improved up to 12 weeks; improvements were greater in the intervention group. Intervention was associated with positive trends of improvement in some HRQoL domains. Conclusions. Exercise intervention performed in the inpatient and outpatient settings for individuals following lung resection was safe and feasible. The uptake rate for outpatient exercise was 57%, similar to previous trials; however, adherence was excellent within the subgroup of participants who attended. Further research is required to investigate the best setting of exercise delivery and explore ways to improve the uptake rate.

Australian and New Zealand Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines

The aim of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines (Guidelines) is to provide evidence‐based recommendations for the practice of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) specific to Australian and New Zealand healthcare contexts.