Efficacy of Chinese Medicine on Postoperative Rehabilitation of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), a Randomized Controlled Study
Author: Yifeng Gu1, Yichao Wang1, Huiling Zhou1, Ao Qi1, Guanjin Wu1, Jiaqi Li1, Congmeng Zhang1,2, Yong Yang3, Jialin Yao1, Wenxiao Yang1, Lingzi Su1, Yi Liu1, Xueqi Tian1, Jiajun Song1, Yabin Gong1, Xiong Qin3, Lijing Jiao1, Ling Xu1
Affiliation:
1 Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
2 Fangta T.C.M. Hospital of Songjiang District Shanghai, Shanghai, China.
3 Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Conference/Journal: Integr Cancer Ther
Date published: 2025 Jan-Dec
Other:
Volume ID: 24 , Pages: 15347354251314529 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/15347354251314529. , Word Count: 288
Background:
With an increasing number of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients being offered surgical treatment, postoperative rehabilitation is also being increasingly emphasized. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds promise for enhancing postoperative recovery, with treatment methods still in refinement. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Chinese herbal decoction and Liuzijue exercises in NSCLC patients during the rapid postoperative recovery period.
Methods:
A randomized, parallel-group clinical trial assigned 50 patients to receive Chinese herbal medicine and Liuzijue exercise plus symptomatic treatment, and 49 to symptomatic treatment alone. Treatment continued until postoperative complications resolved, chest tubes were removed, and no abnormal examination findings were reported. The primary outcome was Quality of Life Questionnare-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) score. Secondary outcomes included MOS item short form 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score, rate of complications, six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score, numerical rating scale (NRS) score, and functional activity score (FAS).
Results:
Significant improvements in role (MD: 12.15, 95%CI: 2.99-21.32, P < .05) and social functioning (MD: 10.25, 95%CI: 1.72-18.78, P < .05) were observed in the intervention group vs. controls, as measured by QLQ-C30. The intervention group showed better post-treatment SF-36 scores in Role-Physical (RP), Social Function (SF), Role-Emotional (RE), and Mental Health Summary (MCS) (P < .05). The complication rate was lower in the intervention (20.00%) than the control group (44.44%) (P < .05). The intervention group also had a significant increase in FAS scores (P < .05) and covered a better 6MWT distance (P < .05).
Conclusion:
Chinese herbal decoction and Liuzijue exercises during the rapid recovery period after lung cancer surgery enhanced patients' QoL and physical endurance, and mitigated complications.Trial registration: This tial was registered with chictr.org.cn (Registration number:ChiCTR2100044776).
Keywords: 6MWT; lung cancer; postoperative complication; quality of life; rehabilitation.
PMID: 39915957 DOI: 10.1177/15347354251314529
BACK
