Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Improving Lung Function in Patients With Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing Chemoradiation

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine feasibility of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with locally
advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing definite chemotherapy
and radiation therapy.

II. To measure exercise capacity and respiratory symptoms in lung cancer patients receiving
chemotherapy and radiation before and after pulmonary rehabilitation.

III. To compare if there are any differences in symptom relief, exercise capacity, and
cancer treatment tolerability between performing pulmonary rehabilitation during
chemo-radiation versus after completion of lung cancer treatment.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Beginning within 2 weeks of starting chemoradiation, patients undergo an
individualized rehabilitation program comprising aerobic exercise and strength training,
including treadmill walking, stationary bicycle, NU-Step, upper body resistance training and
breathing retraining, 3 times per week for 8 weeks (36 sessions).

ARM II: Beginning 1 month after completion of chemoradiation, patients undergo an
individualized exercise rehabilitation program as in Arm I.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients who have been diagnosed with locally advanced unresectable NSCLC undergoing
definite chemo-radiation with curative intent

- Patients must be able to sign informed consent

- Patients who qualify for pulmonary rehabilitation as part of the standard of care and
are covered by medical insurance

- Patients must be able to ambulate a minimum of 100 feet prior to enrollment in
pulmonary rehab

- Patients must be willing and able to travel to the pulmonary rehabilitation site at
the Morehouse Medical Plaza

Exclusion Criteria:

- Tumor resection candidates

- If survival is deemed less than 6 months for any medical condition

- If they have angina or unstable coronary disease

- Congestive heart failure refractory to medical management

- Malignancy with bone instability

- Inmates