Network meta-analysis ranks nonpharmacological dyspnoea strategies in lung cancer

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European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society Published May 28, 2026 Medically reviewed May 28, 2026 Study authors: Hu Guoxiang, Koirala Binu, Young Lufei, Liang Cailing, Zhou Wei, Zhang Qi PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development

Key Takeaway

Consider acupressure for dyspnoea in lung cancer patients overall, and multicomponent interventions for post-operative cases.

This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluated nonpharmacological dyspnoea-relief strategies in lung cancer patients, including post-operative and those with pre-existing dyspnoea. The analysis included 4138 patients and compared interventions such as acupressure, fan therapy, multicomponent interventions, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Overall, acupressure showed the highest efficacy for dyspnoea score reduction (Hedges' g -1.96, 95% CI -2.92 to -0.99), followed by fan therapy (Hedges' g -1.11, 95% CI -1.72 to -0.50) and multicomponent interventions (Hedges' g -1.01, 95% CI -1.49 to -0.52). In post-operative patients, multicomponent interventions were most effective (Hedges' g -1.55, 95% CI -2.16 to -0.94), with cognitive behavioural therapy second (Hedges' g -0.90, 95% CI -1.75 to -0.05). For patients with pre-existing dyspnoea, acupressure ranked top (Hedges' g -1.72, 95% CI -3.01 to -0.42), followed by fan therapy (Hedges' g -1.18, 95% CI -2.10 to -0.27).

The authors did not report adverse events, safety, or tolerability, and the certainty of evidence was not explicitly stated. Limitations include potential heterogeneity across studies and the absence of SUCRA rankings to confirm superiority. Clinicians should consider these findings as preliminary and not generalize across all lung cancer subgroups without further validation.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

Sample sizen = 4,138

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedApr 2026

PMID42203238

View Original Abstract ↓

BACKGROUND: Dyspnoea is a common and distressing symptom in lung cancer patients. While various dyspnoea-relief strategies show promise, their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials on nonpharmacological dyspnoea-relief strategies in lung cancer patients, using studies published until 12 June 2025 from the databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. The primary outcome was dyspnoea score post-intervention. RESULTS: 4138 participants from 46 randomised controlled trials were included in the analysis. Among 10 nonpharmacological dyspnoea-relief strategies in lung cancer patients, acupressure (surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) 98.7%, Hedges' g -1.96, 95% CI -2.92 to -0.99) demonstrated the highest efficacy, followed by fan (SUCRA 83.7%, Hedges' g -1.11, 95% CI -1.72 to -0.50), and multicomponent interventions (SUCRA 80.7%, Hedges' g -1.01, 95% CI -1.49 to -0.52). In post-operative lung cancer patients, multicomponent interventions (SUCRA 97.4%, Hedges' g -1.55, 95% CI -2.16 to -0.94) were the most effective, followed by cognitive behavioural therapy (SUCRA 74.8%, Hedges' g -0.90, 95% CI -1.75 to -0.05). For patients with pre-existing dyspnoea, acupressure (SUCRA 90.9%, Hedges' g -1.72, 95% CI -3.01 to -0.42) and fan therapy (SUCRA 77.3%, Hedges' g -1.18, 95% CI -2.10 to -0.27) were the top interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure is the primary strategy for alleviating dyspnoea in lung cancer patients, including those with pre-existing dyspnoea, followed by fan therapy, while multicomponent interventions are recommended for post-operative patients.