Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Purpose:
Thoracotomy surgery can lead to inflammation and related complications in patients. This inflammation may result in increased inflammatory factors such as C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Platelets, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), which negatively affect the recovery process of these patients. Aerobic exercises, as a non-pharmacological intervention, can help improve immune system function and reduce inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluation of changes in interleukin-6, c-reactive protein, and immune system in pulmonary patients aged 6 to 17 years following thoracotomy surgery after eight weeks of aerobic exercise.
Methods:
This semi-experimental, applied research was conducted with a pre-test and post-test design. The study population consisted of patients aged 6 to 17 years who required thoracotomy surgery. The sample consisted of 24 participants. To achieve randomization and minimize allocation bias, the Sealed Envelope Method was used for participant assignment. Aerobic exercises began one week after surgery and were performed on a treadmill for eight weeks, five sessions per week. The exercises were designed based on the principle of progressive overload and included 5–10 minutes of warm-up and cool-down in each session. The training intensity started at 30–40% of maximum heart rate and was gradually increased to 60–70%. The control group received standard care and did not receive any interventions.The serum levels of CRP, ESR, IL-6, NLR, and platelets were measured one week after surgery and 48 hours after the last exercise session. The data were analyzed using Paired t-test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results:
The results showed that aerobic exercise had no significant effect on the levels of CRP (p=0.905, η²=0.001), IL-6 (p=0.196, η²=0.091), ESR (p=0.264, η²=0.069), platelets (p=0.562, η²=0.019), and NLR (p=0.622, η²=0.014).
Conclusion:
Eight weeks of aerobic exercise in patients after thoracotomy surgery was associated with a non-significant reduction in CRP, ESR, IL-6, NLR, and platelet levels compared to the control group. Although these changes were not statistically significant, the observed trend may indicate potential beneficial effects of aerobic exercise in reducing inflammation. Accordingly, further studies with larger sample sizes, longer training durations, and optimized exercise intensity tailored to patients’ clinical status are recommended to more accurately evaluate this intervention.
Keywords
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