Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Advanced Lung Cancer Survivors

Launched by CASE COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER · Jul 29, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether pulmonary rehabilitation—a program of exercises and support to help with breathing—can improve the quality of life for people who have advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Many people with this type of lung cancer, especially in later stages, often feel short of breath and very tired. The study aims to find out if pulmonary rehabilitation can help reduce these symptoms and improve how well people function day-to-day.

To join the study, participants need to be adults diagnosed with advanced NSCLC (stage III or IV) who often feel short of breath. People who have stable health without recent cancer progression and can speak and read English may be eligible. Participants will either take part in an eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation program or continue with their usual care. The study also includes interviews to better understand any challenges people and their healthcare providers face when considering or attending pulmonary rehabilitation. This study is not yet recruiting but is open to adults aged 65 to 74 of all genders.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Participants must have histologically confirmed NSCLC, Stages III or IV treated with palliative intent
• • Adults ≥ 18 years of age
• • ECOG performance status ≤ 3
• • Clinical stability: defined as no clinical/radiographic progression within the last three months
• • Self-reported dyspnea, defined as score ≥ 2 on the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale
• • Participants must be fluent in written and spoken English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participants being treated with curative intent for locally advanced NSCLC or oligometastatic NSCLC with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation will be excluded
• • Participants have evidence of clinical and/or radiographic progression
• • Mental impairment leading to inability to complete study requirements
• • High risk of fracture or spine instability (Mirels score ≥7 or SINS ≥7)
• * Any of the following cardiac exclusion criteria:
• • Class II, III or IV heart failure as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system
• • History of acute coronary syndromes (including myocardial infarction and unstable angina), coronary angioplasty or stenting within the past 6 months prior to the start of radiation therapy
• • Uncontrolled arrhythmias; individuals with rate-controlled atrial fibrillation for \> 1 month prior to start of radiation therapy may be eligible
• • Syncope
• • Acute myocarditis, pericarditis, or endocarditis
• • Acute pulmonary embolus or pulmonary infarction within the last 3 months
• • Acute thrombosis of lower extremities within the last 3 months
• • Suspected dissecting aneurysm
• • Pulmonary edema
• • Respiratory failure
• • Acute non-cardiopulmonary disorder that may affect exercise performance or be aggravated by exercise