Effects of physical activity on quality of life in lung cancer survivors Efectos de la actividad física en la calidad de vida de sobrevivientes de cáncer pulmonar

Abstract

Objective​: Lung cancer is one of the most frequent neoplasms with low survival rates. We seek to identify the effects of regular physical activity on the quality of life  (QoL) of lung cancer survivors, and to clarify physical activity in terms of frequency, intensity, and capacity of patients with lung cancer, in order to determine the most useful scale to evaluate the QoL. Methods​: A narrative review was carried out, where different types of studies were collected. Studies were chosen in which physical activity is promoted as a factor that modifies the QoL and their results may include types and intensity of exercises that were adequate to improve the QoL in these patients. Results: ​Seven articles were analyzed (4 prospective observational study, 1 experimental study, 1 prospective feasibility study and 1 cross-sectional study) that used different QoL scales in lung cancer survivors. One used the SF-36 scale (Short Form-36 Health Survey) , two used the SF-36v2 scale (Short Form-36 Health Survey modified), two used the LASA Score (Linear Analog Scale Assessment of Quality of Life), one used the QLQ-LC13 (Quality of Life Questionnaire module for Lung Cancer patients) and LCSS (lung cancer symptom scale), and one used FACT-L (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Lung). An improvement was evident in most of the sub items evaluated by each scale of quality of life. The study revealed an increase in the survival of those who practice physical activity. Conclusion​: Physical activity has shown positive impact in the QoL in the sub items highlighted in the study and the symptom control of the patients. During the review, it was concluded that the most suitable scales to assess long-term and short-term QOL were: the SF-36 scale and the LASA score, respectively.