The Future of Telerehabilitation in Lung Cancer: An Observational Study Investigating Access to Technology in the Lung Cancer Population

A growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of exercise training in the management of lung cancer [1-3]. Telerehabilitation, which uses information and computer technologies to deliver and monitor exercise in the home setting [4], may be a favourable model in lung cancer, particularly for people living in remote areas or those without transportation to access hospitals or rehabilitation centres [5]. Preliminary research from other respiratory disease populations, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), suggest that telerehabilitation may be an efficacious model for delivery of exercise training [6]; however limited information is available about technology access and use specifically in the lung cancer population. The primary aims of this study were, to identify the proportion of patients with lung cancer who access and use mobile phones, tablet devices and computers; and the patient profile of such individuals. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines were followed in reporting this study [7]. Methods A prospective cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at a metropolitan tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia from November 2010 to October 2012. The site had ethical approval. English speaking individuals with stage I-IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) were recruited at time of diagnosis into a multi-centre observational study assessing physical activity and functional decline in lung cancer [8]. Participants at one site were additionally invited to take part in this sub-study regarding technology access.