High-intensity interval training ( HIT ) with duration of 2 to 6 weeks seems to be the best exercise programme in a prehabilitation intervention but it exists heterogeneity in terms of intensity and duration .
Prehabilitation increase exercise capacity and significantly enhances pulmonary function .
But the reduction of postoperative complication and mortality has not been clearly demonstrated .
It seems that not all patients can benefit from prehabilitation and it could be indicated only in patients with impaired lung function .
Meanwhile , safety of prehabilitation and good results of some studies support this intervention in high-risk patients
Surgical resection remains the best treatment option for patients with early stage of non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) .
However , it may be responsible of postoperative complication and mortality , especially in patients with impaired pulmonary function .
Enhanced recovery after surgery ( ERAS ) programs have been focused mainly in minimal invasive surgery approach during lung resection and respiratory rehabilitation after surgery .
Preoperative exercise-based intervention ( prehabilitation ) has demonstrated reduction of morbi-mortality in other surgeries but in thoracic surgery continues to be under discussion .
Cardio-pulmonary exercise test ( CPET ) is the gold st and ard technique to predict postoperative morbi-mortality .
The implementation of a preoperative respiratory rehabilitation could optimize patient 's physical capacity before surgery and improve outcomes and enhance recovery .
The aim of this systematic review of the literature is to identify the effectiveness and safety of prehabilitation programs in thoracic surgery , the type of exercise and its duration , and the group of patients with best benefit .
Prehabilitation is a safe intervention without side effects in patients .
Short‐Term Preoperative High‐Intensity Interval Training in Patients Awaiting Lung Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Introduction : Impairment in aerobic fitness is a potential modifiable risk factor for postoperative complications . In this r and omized controlled trial , we hypothesized that a high‐intensity interval training ( HIIT ) program enhances cardiorespiratory fitness before lung cancer surgery and therefore reduces the risk of postoperative complications . Methods : Patients with operable lung cancer were r and omly assigned to usual care ( UC ) ( n = 77 ) or preoperative rehabilitation based on HIIT ( Rehab ) ( n = 74 ) .  Maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing and the 6‐minute walk test were performed twice before surgery . The primary outcome measure was a composite of death and in‐hospital postoperative complications . Results : The groups were well balanced in terms of patient characteristics . During the preoperative waiting period ( median 25 days ) , the peak oxygen consumption and the 6‐minute walking distance increased ( median + 15 % , interquartile range , 25th to 75 percentile [ IQR25%–75 % , % ] = + 9 % to + 22 % , p = 0.003 and + 15 % , IQR25%–75 % = + 8 % to + 28 % , p < 0.001 , respectively ) in the Rehab group , whereas peak oxygen consumption declined in the UC group ( median –8 % , IQR25%–75 % = –16 % to 0 % ] , p = 0.005 ) . The primary end point did not differ significantly between the two groups : at least one postoperative complication developed in 27 of the 74 patients ( 35.5 % ) in the Rehab group and 39 of 77 patients ( 50.6 % ) in the UC group ( p = 0.080 ) . Notably , the incidence of pulmonary complications was lower in the Rehab compared with in the UC group ( 23 % versus 44 % , p = 0.018 ) , owing to a significant reduction in atelectasis ( 12.2 % versus 36.4 % , p < 0.001 ) , and this decrease was accompanied by a shorter length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit ( median –7 hours , IQR25%–75 % = –4 to –10 ) . Conclusions : In this r and omized controlled trial , preoperative HIIT result ed in significant improvement in aerobic performances but failed to reduce early complications after lung cancer resection
High-intensity interval training ( HIT ) with duration of 2 to 6 weeks seems to be the best exercise programme in a prehabilitation intervention but it exists heterogeneity in terms of intensity and duration .
Prehabilitation increase exercise capacity and significantly enhances pulmonary function .
But the reduction of postoperative complication and mortality has not been clearly demonstrated .
It seems that not all patients can benefit from prehabilitation and it could be indicated only in patients with impaired lung function .
Meanwhile , safety of prehabilitation and good results of some studies support this intervention in high-risk patients
Surgical resection remains the best treatment option for patients with early stage of non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) .
However , it may be responsible of postoperative complication and mortality , especially in patients with impaired pulmonary function .
Enhanced recovery after surgery ( ERAS ) programs have been focused mainly in minimal invasive surgery approach during lung resection and respiratory rehabilitation after surgery .
Preoperative exercise-based intervention ( prehabilitation ) has demonstrated reduction of morbi-mortality in other surgeries but in thoracic surgery continues to be under discussion .
Cardio-pulmonary exercise test ( CPET ) is the gold st and ard technique to predict postoperative morbi-mortality .
The implementation of a preoperative respiratory rehabilitation could optimize patient 's physical capacity before surgery and improve outcomes and enhance recovery .
The aim of this systematic review of the literature is to identify the effectiveness and safety of prehabilitation programs in thoracic surgery , the type of exercise and its duration , and the group of patients with best benefit .
Prehabilitation is a safe intervention without side effects in patients .