Online exercise program to aid recovery after lung cancer surgery
Tests remote exercise sessions with online checkups for adults recovering from lung cancer surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Telerehabilitation Exercise Program for Postoperative Recovery in Lung Cancer.
Key facts
- Where
- Seville, SpainSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT07861282, who can take part
Where in Spain
- Hospital Universitario Virgen MacarenaSeville, SpainTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Seville
- Trial code
- NCT07861282
- Record updated
- 21 October 2026
- Original description
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Thoracic surgery remains the treatment of choice for patients with early-stage disease; however, postoperative recovery is frequently associated with reduced functional capacity, decreased physical activity levels, pulmonary complications, dyspnea, and impaired quality of life. Early physiotherapy interventions are recommended to minimize these adverse outcomes, although access to postoperative rehabilitation services remains limited in many healthcare settings, including the Andalusian Public Health System.Read full original descriptionShow less
Impact of a Therapeutic Exercise Program Delivered Through Telerehabilitation on Postoperative Recovery in Patients Diagnosed With Lung Cancer (TEPUL): A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Thoracic surgery remains the treatment of choice for patients with early-stage disease; however, postoperative recovery is frequently associated with reduced functional capacity, decreased physical activity levels, pulmonary complications, dyspnea, and impaired quality of life. Early physiotherapy interventions are recommended to minimize these adverse outcomes, although access to postoperative rehabilitation services remains limited in many healthcare settings, including the Andalusian Public Health System.
Telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising strategy to improve access to rehabilitation services by delivering therapeutic exercise and clinical follow-up remotely. Previous studies have demonstrated that telerehabilitation is safe, effective, and cost-efficient across different clinical populations. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in patients recovering from lung cancer surgery remains limited.
This single-blind randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of an eight-week telerehabilitation program based on therapeutic exercise with usual postoperative care in patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracic surgery. Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive 24 therapeutic exercise sessions and 8 online clinical follow-up sessions delivered through the Rehbody platform over an 8-week period. Outcomes will include functional capacity, dyspnea, physical activity level, postoperative pulmonary complications, and health-related quality of life.
The study is designed to address the following research question: In adults with lung cancer undergoing thoracic surgery (Population), does an eight-week therapeutic exercise-based telerehabilitation program (Intervention), compared with usual postoperative care (Comparison), improve postoperative recovery as measured by functional capacity, dyspnea, physical activity level, postoperative pulmonary complications, and quality of life (Outcomes)?
Inclusion: Adults aged 18 to 80 years; Histologically confirmed primary lung cancer (stage 0 to IIIB); Patients who have undergone thoracic surgery for lung cancer; Medical clearance to participate in an exercise-based rehabilitation program; Ability to understand and communicate verbally; Access to a smartphone and/or computer with internet connection.
Exclusion: Previous thoracic surgery; Any medical condition or comorbidity that contraindicates participation in an exercise program; Current psychiatric disorder that may interfere with study participation; History of another malignancy within the past one year; Inability to provide written informed consent.