Background

lung neoplasms are the second most common cancer in the world. The number of deaths continues to decline due to smoking cessation and advances in early detection and treatment. Physiotherapy plays an important role in helping to manage and control signs and symptoms.

Objective

to describe the results of a therapeutic intervention program in patients with lung cancer.

Methods

a quasi-experimental study was carried out, with 77 patients diagnosed with lung cancer belonging to two polyclinics in the Ciego de Ávila province, from 2019 to 2021. The analyzed variables: age, sex, start time of rehabilitation, symptoms and quality of life; the latter using the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality life questionnaire core 30. To determine the significance of the change after treatment, the non-parametric sign test for life quality was used.

Results

the age group from 65 to 79 years old and the male sex prevailed. Rehabilitation start time ranged from 6 to 12 months. Fatigue, dyspnea, anxiety, and insomnia were the predominant symptoms, and they improved slightly, especially dyspnea (from 92.2% to 50.6%). Quality of life also showed some improvement, a statistically significant result (p=0.000).

Conclusion

the therapeutic intervention was able to alleviate some symptoms in patients under study, which in case of quality of life was statistically significant.

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