Recovery of Physical and Psychological health, and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in lung cancer patients six months following lung resection.

Although lung resection is the preferred treatment for early-stage lung cancer,
it causes a considerable decay of physical health, Health-Related Quality of
Life (HRQoL), and psychological functioning. Prospective studies in lung cancer
patients treated with lung resection, mainly focused on the recovery of
physical health (such as lung function and exercise capacity), and HRQoL.
However, these outcome measures have been measured largely independent from
each other. Furthermore, recovery may further be complicated by psychological
symptoms. So far, little evidence from prospective studies is available to
clarify the prevalence and development of psychological distress following lung
resection. Lastly, it is unknown whether lung cancer patients treated with lung
resection feel the need for post-surgery rehabilitation. Hence, there is a need
for studies with a more holistic approach in which the recovery of physical and
psychological health status, and HRQoL after lung resection is explored
simultaneously, and tested multiple times following surgery. Also, we believe
that it is necessary to assess perceived *healthcare need* in this specific
population. These insights can be used for the future optimization of
rehabilitation programs for lung cancer patients treated with lung resection.

The main aim of this study is to explore the recovery of physical and
psychological health status, and HRQoL simultaneously in lung cancer patients
that have undergone lung resection in the Netherlands. Next to that, we hope to
identify the perceived need for rehabilitation.

A prospective cohort study will be performed to answer the research questions.

The risks associated with participation in the study are considered small.
Patients will receive regular care complemented with several questionnaires,
interviews, activity monitoring and easy to perform physical performance tests.
The activity monitor will cause no restriction on daily activity performance.
The physical performance test, such as the 6MWT and the 30-CST, are executed at
their own pace and heart rate is monitored continuously during the 6MWT.
Although the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) pushes the patients to their
maximal cardiopulmonary level, only patients that are approved by their lung
physician or lung surgeon will be tested. Furthermore, this test will be
executed by trained personal, heart functioning will be monitored during
testing, and testing is stopped by signs of symptoms.