Comparative effectiveness of perioperative physical activity in older adults with lung cancer and their family caregivers: design of a multicenter pragmatic randomized trial

Abstract

Background: With a median age at diagnosis of 70, lung cancer remains a significant public health challenge for older Americans. Surgery is a key component in treating most patients with non-metastatic lung cancer. These patients experience postoperative pain, fatigue, loss of respiratory capacity, and decreased physical function. Data on quality of life (QOL) in older adults undergoing lung cancer surgery is limited, and few interventions are designed to target the needs of older adults and their family caregivers (FCGs). The primary aim of this comparative effectiveness trial is to determine whether telephone-based physical activity coaching before and after surgery will be more beneficial than physical activity self-monitoring alone for older adults and their FCGs.

Methods: In this multicenter comparative effectiveness trial, 382 older adults (≥ 65 years) with lung cancer and their FCGs will be recruited before surgery and randomized to either telephone-based physical activity coaching or physical activity self-monitoring alone. Participants allocated to the telephone-based coaching comparator will receive five telephone sessions with coaches (1 pre and 4 post surgery), an intervention resource manual, and a wristband pedometer. Participants in the self-monitoring only arm will receive American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) physical activity information and wristband pedometers. All participants will be assessed at before surgery (baseline), at discharge, and at days 30, 60, and 180 post-discharge. The primary endpoint is the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) at 30 days post-discharge. Geriatric assessment, lower extremity function, self-reported physical function, self-efficacy, and QOL will also be assessed.

Discussion: The trial will determine whether this telephone-based physical activity coaching approach can enhance postoperative functional capacity and QOL outcomes for older adults with lung cancer and their FCGs. Trial results will provide critical findings to inform models of postoperative care for older adults with cancer and their FCGs.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06196008.

Keywords: Family caregivers; Functional recovery; Lung cancer; Older adults; Surgery.