A wearable device–based intervention could help patients with lung cancer increase their daily steps by over 2,200 within 6 months after surgery, according to a recent study. 

In a nonrandomized clinical trial, published in JAMA Network Open, investigators assessed the efficacy of a wearable device–based intervention to promote physical activity and improve recovery outcomes following lung cancer surgery. The study included 194 patients, with 74 in the intervention group and 120 in the control group. Patients in the intervention group followed a personalized exercise regimen, monitored by wearable devices, from diagnosis to 6 months postsurgery. The control group received standard postoperative care. The primary objective was to evaluate the intervention’s effect on physical activity, cardiopulmonary function, and patient-reported outcomes. 

At 2 weeks postsurgery, the intervention group demonstrated a smaller reduction in daily steps and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared with the control group. Specifically, the intervention group showed a decrease of 1,753 steps per day, whereas the control group saw a larger decrease of 4,877 steps. In terms of patient-reported outcomes, the intervention group reported a physical function score of 82.2 compared with 76.9 in the control group (P = .04). The intervention group also had lower dyspnea scores (24.8 vs 34.5, P = .03) and lower pain scores (21.4 vs 30.1, P = .01) at the 2-week mark.

By 6 months postsurgery, the intervention group showed a significant increase in daily steps, with a mean increase of 2,220 steps from baseline, while the control group remained below baseline levels, with a decrease of 586 steps. At 6 months, the intervention group also engaged in significantly more MVPA, averaging 33.6 minutes compared with 18.5 minutes in the control group (P = .003). Dyspnea scores in the intervention group continued to improve, reaching 5.4 compared with 12.0 in the control group (P = .01).

No statistically significant difference was observed in cardiopulmonary function between groups, as measured by 6-minute walking distance. However, overall patient-reported outcomes indicated better physical function, less dyspnea, and reduced pain in the intervention group at both 2 weeks and 6 months postsurgery compared with the control group.

Full disclosures can be found in the published study.