Efficacy and safety of combined Baduanjin-auricular acupressure treatment for the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with non-small cell lung cancer: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Active participation in postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation training is an indispensable part of the rehabilitation process for patients with lung cancer and is critical to improving the quality of life (QOL). Baduanjin or auricular acupuncture can significantly improve exercise tolerance, fatigue, and QOL in patients with lung cancer. Baduanjin promotes physical function and psychological well-being through gentle movement and breathing control, while auricular acupressure may further alleviate symptoms by modulating neuroendocrine pathways. Their integration could address multidimensional impairments (physical, emotional, and symptom-related) more comprehensively than either intervention alone. Current rehabilitation programs often lack accessible, low-cost adjunct therapies. The combination offers a feasible, patient-centered approach-Baduanjin provides structured exercise, and auricular acupressure requires minimal resources, making it suitable for home-based care. However, there is a paucity of research addressing the joint effects of the combined intervention of Baduanjin and auricular acupressure. Therefore, in this study, we aim to assess the efficacy of the combined intervention of Baduanjin and auricular acupressure as an alternative regimen for postoperative rehabilitation in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

This four-arm parallel randomized controlled trial will randomize 236 lung cancer surgery patients (1:1:1:1) to: (I) Baduanjin plus auricular acupressure (BG + AAG), (II) Baduanjin group (BG), (III) auricular acupressure group (AAG), or (IV) control group (CG). Primary outcomes [6-minute walk distance (6MWD), cancer-related fatigue scale, and QOL core scale] will be assessed at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks by blinded evaluators. Secondary analysis of 6MWD at 6 months will compare BG + AAG versus CG. Treatment effects will be analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with intention-to-treat principle.

DISCUSSION

The four-arm, randomized controlled trial design of the study can enhance both the scientific rigor and reliability of the experiment. Its application can provide clear results and generalizable conclusions for researchers and thus help form a theoretical basis for developing alternative traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with lung cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

China Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2400085060, 30 May 2024).