Lung cancer is the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. Veterans - over 8,200 incident cases are diagnosed each year. Approximately 50% of lung cancers are diagnosed at stage I-III and therefore eligible for curative intent therapy. Survival rates among Veterans with early stage lung cancer have increased along with advances in surgical and radiation techniques. Following curative intent therapy, many Veterans experience physical function loss and increased symptom burden. Consequently, approaches are needed to improve their function and quality of life (QoL). The investigators hypothesize that telerehabilitation could mitigate these adverse effects. Therefore, the investigators seek to conduct a pilot randomized study to examine the (a) feasibility, (b) acceptability, and (c) explore the effects of a telerehabilitation intervention with these patients. Participants (N=40) will be randomized (1:1) to receive 12 weeks of telerehabilitation (experimental arm) or assessment only (control arm). Feasibility will be assessed by enrollment, adherence, and retention; acceptability by System Usability Scales; and exploratory effects by linear mixed effects models comparing changes in function, symptom control, and QoL between groups. This project will provide pilot data and training for an early career physician investigator to establish independence, with a goal of a large-scale randomized trial of an optimized telerehabilitation program to improve the physical and psychosocial function, independence, and QoL of Veteran lung cancer survivors following curative intent therapy.
Lung cancer is the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. Veterans. Significant advances have been made in screening and treatment of lung cancer. Longevity following lung cancer has increased. After lung cancer treatment however, many Veterans experience losses in functional capacity and increased symptoms. Rehabilitation services are needed to address these health issues. This study will evaluate a telerehabilitation intervention with Veterans after lung cancer treatment, with goals to improve their function and quality of life, and advance knowledge on strategies to better meet the rehabilitation needs of Veteran lung cancer survivors following treatment. It will also develop the career of a physician researcher to acquire expertise in rehabilitation services for many Veteran lung cancer survivors.