Problem identification: To investigate the effectiveness of home-based exercise training on exercise capacity, dyspnea, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Literature search: A systematic literature search of the Cochrane Central Register of Randomized Controlled Trials, Embase®, PubMed®, and Web of Science databases was performed for articles published through July 22, 2018.
Data evaluation: The meta-analysis was conducted with Review Manager, version 5.3, following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.
Synthesis: 10 articles with a total of 453 patients met the inclusion criteria. Home-based exercise training was found to increase the six-minute walk distance. In addition, anxiety was also improved after the intervention. However, no improvements in dyspnea, depression, or HRQOL were observed.
Implications for research: Home-based exercise training as a nursing intervention for promoting the rehabilitation of patients with lung cancer can be recommended, but more research should be undertaken to determine the most effective exercises and follow-up methods.
Keywords: exercise; home-based; lung cancer; meta-analysis; systematic review.