Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the influence of health education on postoperative recovery for patients with lung cancer. Methods: Data collection of relevant clinical controlled trials were extensively selected from Chinese databases. Meta-analysis was conducted by STATA 12.0 software. Results: According to inclusion criteria, 16 case-control studies were assessed with a total of 1627 lung cancer (LC) patients, including 808 LC patients in the observation group and 813 LC patients in control group. Meta-analysis results showed that health education may improve physiological function (SMD = 3.89, 95%CI = 1.42~6.36, P = 0.002), degree of cough (SMD = -0.52, 95%CI = -0.92~-0.12, P = 0.010), density of phlegm (SMD = -0.81, 95%CI = -1.16~-0.46, P < 0.001), difficulty in expectoration (SMD = -0.97，95%CI = -1.31~-0.63, P <0.001) and pneumonic rales (SMD = -0.71, 95%CI = -1.06~-0.36, P <0.001) for LC patients. Health education may also decrease the rate of postoperative atelectasis (OR = 0.30, 95%CI = 0.15~0.59, P < 0.001), pulmonary infection (OR = 0.30, 95%CI = 0.15~0.59, P < 0.001), pulmonary failure OR = 0.31, 95%CI = 0.14~0.68, P = 0.004). In addition, the nursing satisfaction (OR = 6.75, 95%CI = 1.84~24.85, P = 0.004) and active rate (OR = 5.28，95%CI = 1.38~20.16，P = 0.010) could be improved by health education. Conclusion: The present meta-analysis indicates that health education may significantly improve postoperative adaptive responses and pulmonary symptoms for patients with lung cancer.