Prehabilitation Physical Therapy and Relaxation Intervention Program to Promote Resiliency and Operative Success Among Adults Receiving Lung Cancer Surgery, ROAR-LCS Trial

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To evaluate feasibility of the two peri-operative programs, as defined by participant adherence and retention rates within their respective interventions.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE:

I. Associating gut microbiome diversity and T cell senescence profiles (peripheral blood) at baseline and end of study as potential biomarkers of treatment-related toxicity and tumor response to treatment among other clinical secondary outcomes (e.g. surgical complications, overall survival).

OUTLINE: Patients choose which arm (I or II) they would like to participate in, depending upon availability.

ARM I (ROAR-LCS): Patients complete in person physical therapy sessions during weeks with regularly scheduled clinic visits, at first session after surgery, and the final session. These sessions include 10 minutes of a cardiovascular warm up followed up core exercise and resistance training. Patients also complete virtual physical therapy sessions in a similar fashion during weeks in between regularly scheduled clinic visits. Patients complete 6-8 sessions prior to surgery and 12 sessions total (over 3-4 months). Patients receive a portable exercise peddler and resistance bands for at home exercise. Patients complete the exercises at home as instructed during their sessions, at first weekly then increased to twice then three times weekly depending upon tolerance. Patients also complete progressive muscle relaxation exercises during a guided virtual session once weekly and at home individually 3-5 times per week. Patients also undergo blood sample collection on study.

ARM II (BeFitMe): Patients receive access to the BeFitMe application (app) on their smartphone and an Apple watch and exercise flip book for 9 months. Patients are assigned exercises, lasting at least 3 minutes, and receive access to self guided exercise videos. Patients receive motivational text messages to encourage their completion of the exercises once daily. Patients track their exercise and step counts using the app. Patients also undergo blood sample collection on study.

After completion of study intervention, patients are followed up at 1 and 2 years.