Effects of different telehabilitation methods on postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials protocol

Introduction Postoperative pulmonary complications affect approximately 40% of individuals undergoing lung cancer surgery. A number of clinical trials and meta-analyses have shown that postoperative telehabilitation may reduce the incidence of postoperative adverse events while reducing transport time and outpatient costs and improving patient motivation.

However, optimal telehabilitation strategies remain undetermined. The primary objective of this protocol is thus to compare the effects of different telehabilitation methods used after pulmonary surgery in patients with lung cancer by conducting a network meta-analysis.

Methods and analysis Two researchers will independently search six databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Medline and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)) and two clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP). The time range will be from database inception to March 2026.

EndNote X V.21 will be used for screening based on predetermined inclusion criteria. All Chinese and English randomised controlled trials examining the effects of telehabilitation on lung function after lung cancer surgery will be included.