Best practices for respiratory function training in perioperative patients with lung cancer: A scoping review and...

To identify, evaluate, and synthesize the best available evidence for respiratory function training (RFT) in perioperative patients with lung cancer, with the aim of providing guidance for clinical practice and facilitating evidence-based decision-making.

A dual design of scoping review and evidence synthesis was adopted. We comprehensively searched 9 Chinese and English academic databases, and 13 clinical guideline and professional society platforms, from the inception of each database to February 28, 2026. A team of five researchers participated in literature screening, methodological quality appraisal, and evidence extraction according to predefined criteria.

The initial search yielded 7483 records, of which 31 were ultimately included, comprising 5 clinical practice guidelines, 15 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, 3 expert consensus reports, 1 clinical decision document, 3 evidence syntheses, and 4 randomized controlled trials. A total of 28 evidence items were extracted and categorized into 7 dimensions: assessment and preparation, multidisciplinary team (MDT), training principles, training modalities, supervision and management, outcome monitoring, and safety precautions.

This study synthesizes 28 best evidence items of perioperative RFT for patients with lung cancer, establishes a whole-cycle management framework, addresses evidence fragmentation, and provides a standardized evidence-based foundation for clinical protocol development.

This study was registered at the Fudan University Center for Evidence-based Nursing (Registration No. ES20269701) and PROSPERO (Registration No. CRD420251161582).