Evaluation of dual task performance and respiratory muscle endurance in patients with lung cancer

Cancer and cancer treatments result in serious symptoms and side effects. The aim of our study was to evaluate dual-task performance, respiratory muscle strength and endurance, intercostal muscle oxygenation, fatigue, cognitive status, dyspnea and physical activity levels in patients with lung cancer. 25 lung cancer patients (64.00 years (58.50-64.00)) and 25 control subjects (60.00 years (55.00-63.00)) were included in the study. Respiratory muscle strength test, respiratory muscle endurance test and dual-task performance test were applied in the evaluation of the individuals. Muscle oxygenation was evaluated by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Cognitive status was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) Scale, physical activity level using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), fatigue severity using the Fatigue Severity Scale, dyspnea using the Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) Dyspnea Scale and quality of life using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 Questionnaire. As a result of our study, respiratory muscle strength and endura values and dual task cognitive parameter of individuals with lung cancer were lower compared to the control group (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between muscle oxygenation values and total hemoglobin change throughout the test (p<0.05). Individuals with lung cancer had higher MMRC dyspnea scale scores (p<0.001). There was no difference between MOCA, fatigue severity scale scores and IPAQ total score (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in the IPAQ walking score and QLQ-C30 questionnaire symptom scores in favor of the control group (p<0.05). The cognitive task performances, respiratory muscle strength and endurance, quality of life and dyspnea levels of individuals with lung cancer were negatively affected. The addition of these parameters to the rehabilitation program should be kept in mind in the rehabilitation of individuals with lung cancer.