Usefulness of the Constant load Cycle Endurance Test in patients with Lung Cancer during Radiation Therapy

Research Objectives: The purpose of this study to determine the validity of constant load cycle endurance test(CET) on workload of 75% of maximal power in patients in lung cancer patients during radiation therapy. And we would like to know the usefulness and feasibility of CET in the results of pulmonary rehabilitation(PR).

Design: Study is prospective, single center study. In a study derived from the preceding study "Constant-load Cycle Endurance Performance", the correlation between 12-minute walking distance and cycle endurance test were measured as r: 0.56.

Setting: Prospective study was performed of 33 patients with lung cancer who had pulmonary rehabilitation during radiation therapy.

Participants: The evaluation was conducted by 33 patients at baseline and 28 patients at post PR. Patients with NSCLC stage I, IIIB, ECOG-PS 0 to 2 were included.

Interventions: 21 patients participated PR at 3 times a week. And 12 patients received 1 time exercise education. During radiation, the PR program, which includes breathing exercise, strengthening exercise and aerobic exercise is conducted for one hour.

Main Outcome Measures: The CET, 6MWT, knee extensor and flexor muscles strength, and grip strengths were evaluated baseline and after 4 weeks PR. One physical therapist conducted an evaluation before and after.

Results: Significant magnitude concurrent validity was found between CET and 6MWT.(R=0.57, P=0.000) In physical active group(≥450m) was highly significant correlation coefficients.(R=0.61, P=0.000) In physical inactive group( < 450m), 6MWT was significantly improved after PR. Otherwise, in active group(≥450m), CET was significantly improved after PR. 6MWT, CET, strengths were significantly improved after rehabilitation.

Conclusions: The CET demonstrated moderate concurrent validity for exercise capacity assessment. It might be useful and feasible test for lung cancer patients with higher function during radiation therapy.

Author(s) Disclosures: Constant load CET is terminated by subjective difficulties, it can be affected individual mood and observer encouragement.We were monitored adverse response and recorded symptoms but, we were not analyzed the end-exercise physiological responses in the test. In addition, it was performed one physical therapist but, it was not performed test and retest for confirming reliability of CET.