A 12-week interdisciplinary rehabilitation trial in patients with gliomas – a feasibility study. Issue 12 (5th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hansen, Anders; Søgaard, Karen; Minet, Lisbeth Rosenbek; Jarden, Jens Ole
• Is Part Of: Disability and rehabilitation. Volume 40:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1379
• Page End: 1385
• Publication Date: 2018-06-05
• Subjects: Brain tumor -- neuro-oncology -- rehabilitation -- physical therapy -- occupational therapy; People with disabilities -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1295472
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8288

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: This report aims to assess the safety and feasibility of using an interdisciplinary rehabilitation intervention for a future randomized controlled trial in patients with gliomas in the initial treatment phase. Method: We conducted an outpatient two-part rehabilitation intervention that involved six weeks of therapeutic supervised training (part one) and six weeks of unsupervised training in a local gym following a training protocol (part two). Results: Predefined feasibility objectives of safety (100%), consent rate (>80%), drop-out (<20%), adherence (>80%) and patient satisfaction (>80%) was achieved at part one. However, the failure to meet predefined feasibility objectives of drop-out, adherence and patient satisfaction of the unsupervised intervention at part two have led to a protocol revision for a future randomized controlled trial. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that an intensive rehabilitation intervention of physical therapy and occupational therapy in the initial treatment phase of patients with gliomas whose Karnofsky performance status is ≥70 is safe and feasible, if relevant inclusion criteria and precautionary screening are made. With the revised protocol, we are confident that the foundation for conducting a successful randomized controlled trial among these vulnerable patients has been established. Implications for rehabilitation: Brain tumors constitute some of the most challenging cancer diagnoses presenting for rehabilitation intervention. Patients with gliomas experiences limitations in physical functioning, cognition, and emotional wellbeing. In a relatively small sample this study shows that supervised physical- and occupational therapy in patients with gliomas is safe and feasible in the initial treatment phase. Patients with gliomas can potentially improve functioning through interdisciplinary rehabilitation