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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Jan-Dec:24:15347354251314529.
doi: 10.1177/15347354251314529.

Efficacy of Chinese Medicine on Postoperative Rehabilitation of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), a Randomized Controlled Study

Yifeng Gu  1 , Yichao Wang  1 , Huiling Zhou  1 , Ao Qi  1 , Guanjin Wu  1 , Jiaqi Li  1 , Congmeng Zhang  1   2 , Yong Yang  3 , Jialin Yao  1 , Wenxiao Yang  1 , Lingzi Su  1 , Yi Liu  1 , Xueqi Tian  1 , Jiajun Song  1 , Yabin Gong  1 , Xiong Qin  3 , Lijing Jiao  1 , Ling Xu  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of Chinese Medicine on Postoperative Rehabilitation of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), a Randomized Controlled Study

Yifeng Gu et al. Integr Cancer Ther. 2025 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Background: With an increasing number of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients being offered surgical treatment, postoperative rehabilitation is also being increasingly emphasized. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds promise for enhancing postoperative recovery, with treatment methods still in refinement. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Chinese herbal decoction and Liuzijue exercises in NSCLC patients during the rapid postoperative recovery period.

Methods: A randomized, parallel-group clinical trial assigned 50 patients to receive Chinese herbal medicine and Liuzijue exercise plus symptomatic treatment, and 49 to symptomatic treatment alone. Treatment continued until postoperative complications resolved, chest tubes were removed, and no abnormal examination findings were reported. The primary outcome was Quality of Life Questionnare-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) score. Secondary outcomes included MOS item short form 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score, rate of complications, six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score, numerical rating scale (NRS) score, and functional activity score (FAS).

Results: Significant improvements in role (MD: 12.15, 95%CI: 2.99-21.32, P < .05) and social functioning (MD: 10.25, 95%CI: 1.72-18.78, P < .05) were observed in the intervention group vs. controls, as measured by QLQ-C30. The intervention group showed better post-treatment SF-36 scores in Role-Physical (RP), Social Function (SF), Role-Emotional (RE), and Mental Health Summary (MCS) (P < .05). The complication rate was lower in the intervention (20.00%) than the control group (44.44%) (P < .05). The intervention group also had a significant increase in FAS scores (P < .05) and covered a better 6MWT distance (P < .05).

Conclusion: Chinese herbal decoction and Liuzijue exercises during the rapid recovery period after lung cancer surgery enhanced patients' QoL and physical endurance, and mitigated complications.Trial registration: This tial was registered with chictr.org.cn (Registration number:ChiCTR2100044776).

Keywords: 6MWT; lung cancer; postoperative complication; quality of life; rehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author (s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flowchart of patient enrollment.
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