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An impactful study funded by the National Cancer Institute and led by researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) shows that a personalized, clinic-aligned exercise program significantly improves physical function and reduces fatigue in lung cancer patients undergoing surgery.
As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Huntsman Cancer Institute is dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer in the Mountain West. The Precision Exercise Prescription (PEP) trial reinforces the value of integrating prehabilitation and rehabilitation strategies into routine cancer treatment, expanding access to high-quality supportive care—no matter where patients live.
The Precision Exercise Prescription (PEP) trial involved 182 patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer (stages 1-3) or metastatic disease to the lung. Patients were randomized into two groups: an exercise intervention group and a standard care group. Those in the exercise group maintained or improved their physical function, while the standard care group experienced declines. The exercise program was especially beneficial for women, leading to significant improvements in overall fitness.
"Our federally and donor-funded research provides compelling evidence that a tailored, remotely administered exercise program can significantly enhance recovery for lung cancer patients."
Neli Ulrich, MS, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute
By using a structured, personalized exercise plan monitored remotely via phone calls by licensed physical therapists, the PEP trial demonstrates how technology can bridge gaps in access to high-quality care. This approach is particularly impactful for patients in rural or resource-limited areas, where access to in-person rehabilitation services may be scarce. The program, designed to start two weeks before surgery and continue post-surgery, included calisthenics, aerobics, and resistance exercises tailored to each person’s mobility score.
Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, chief scientific officer and executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professor in Cancer Research in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the U, emphasized the importance of this study. "Our federally and donor-funded research provides compelling evidence that a tailored, remotely administered exercise program can significantly enhance recovery for lung cancer patients. The improvements in physical function and reduction in fatigue, especially among women, highlight the need to make personalized exercise interventions part of the standard care for cancer patients."
Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS, MBA, FACS, thoracic surgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor in the Department of Surgery at the U, added, "The ability to personalize and remotely monitor exercise programs allows us to offer effective optimization before surgery, prehabilitation and rehabilitation, for a broader range of patients, including those in rural or resource-limited areas. The clinic program, which was perfectly aligned with patients’ visits to the clinic and regular clinic workflows, enables flexible and scalable services across the cancer care continuum. This approach ensures all patients can benefit from optimization protocols, ultimately improving their overall quality of life."
"The ability to personalize and remotely monitor exercise programs allows us to offer effective optimization for a broader range of patients, including those in rural or resource-limited areas."
Thomas Varghese Jr., MD, MS, MBA, FACS
Thoracic Surgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute
The PEP study is funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation. The researchers express their gratitude to the study participants, Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Lung Cancer Disease Center and Clinical Trials Office for their invaluable contributions.