Singing Training vs Usual Care 6-18 Months After Surgical Resection for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Summary

People who have undergone curative surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often experience reduced quality of life (QoL), a high burden of symptoms, and physical deconditioning. Current Danish rehabilitation offers are heterogeneous and inconsistent and not tailored to the specific needs of this population. Additionally, some patients continue to suffer from persistent physical symptoms months or even years after surgery, yet no targeted support is currently available for them. Singing - delivered as a structured form of training - has shown benefits in improving both physical and psychological outcomes in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although singing has not yet been studied in NSCLC patients, the two conditions share overlapping symptoms and characteristics. Therefore, the present study aims to explore whether a singing-based intervention can help reduce symptom burden and improve physical function and QoL in NSCLC patients 6 to 18 months post-surgery. To test this, a multi-centre, cross-over randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, comparing a singing intervention to usual care. Given that travel and distance often pose significant barriers to participation, the intervention will be delivered online.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients who display persistent symptoms 6-18 months (+/- one month) after surgical resection of localised lung cancer with video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) will be invited to participate in the study.

Inclusion criteria for the study include:

1. Persistent symptoms, i.e., an EORTC-QLQ-C30 symptom domain score (in any item) of ≥2 (="clinically relevant symptom or problem that should have healthcare professional attention") \[20-22\],
2. Surgery for stage I lung cancer 6-18 months (+/- one month) earlier,
3. Motivated for participating in the project (and acceptance of randomisation procedure),
4. Access to a computer or a tablet with internet access,
5. Ability to speak and understand Danish,
6. Acceptance of the scheduled times of the singing intervention twice a week.

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria include:

1. Unstable coronary diseases,
2. Severe cognitive disabilities (e.g., dementia),
3. Indication for adjuvant chemotherapy or other antineoplastic therapy,
4. Signs of lung cancer recurrence at regular follow-up CT scan.

No previous singing experience or musical competence is required. Participants will be informed that they are allowed to participate in additional offer of structured or unstructured offer physical exercise training and/or singing along with the project.

Conditions5

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