Kriton Chatzikonstantinou

Mr. Kriton Chatzikonstantinou

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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26 February 2026 in Biomed
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Stiliani AndreadouStiliani Andreadou
Stiliani Andreadou
ATAngeliki Tanti
Angeliki Tanti
FGFOTEINI GKILIRI
FOTEINI GKILIRI
Kriton ChatzikonstantinouKriton Chatzikonstantinou
Kriton Chatzikonstantinou
EVEleni Vatista
Eleni Vatista
ACAnna Christakou
Anna Christakou
Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is increasingly used across the lung-cancer care pathway, but the scope, effectiveness, and optimal delivery of programmes remain variably reported. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of PR in adults undergoing lung cancer surgery across preoperative perioperative, and post operating settings. Methods: We conducted a narrative synthesis of studies evaluating PR interventions in patients undergoing lung cancer resection. Eligible designs included randomised, non-randomised trials and observational studies published between 2021 and 2025. Interventions were classified by timing (preoperative, perioperative, postoperative) and by completeness of PR content. Full PR was defined as programmes including structured exercise training, at least one respiratory-specific component, and structured education and/or supportive interventions. Outcomes of interest included postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), length of stay (LOS), functional capacity, ventilatory function, symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results: Across perioperative phases, PR was feasible and safe, with consistent improvements in functional capacity and patient-reported outcomes. Preoperative PR reliably improved presurgical fitness with reductions in PPCs and LOS most evident in supervised and physiologically targeted programmes. Perioperative PR integrated within enhanced recovery pathways supported early mobilisation and respiratory recovery. Postoperative PR accelerated recovery of exercise capacity, respiratory symptoms, and HRQoL beyond expected natural recovery. Programmes classified as Full PR demonstrated more consistent and broader benefits across outcome domains compared with Partial PR. Substantial heterogeneity in intervention design and outcome measurement was observed. Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective, multidimensional intervention across the surgical lung cancer continuum. Comprehensive, multimodal programmes appear to confer the greatest clinical benefit. Standardisation of PR content and outcome measurement is needed to strengthen evidence synthesis and guide implementation in perioperative lung cancer care.