The Impact of Inpatient Rehabilitation on Function and Survival of Newly Diagnosed Patients With Glioblastoma

Abstract

Patients who undergo inpatient rehabilitation demonstrate significant functional improvements, primarily in the mobility domain. Confounder adjusted multivariate analysis showed no survival difference between patients who did and did not undergo inpatient rehabilitation; this finding suggests that a structured inpatient rehabilitation program may level the survival field in lower-functioning patients who otherwise may be faced with a dismal prognosis.

The Intersection of Oncology Prognosis and Cancer Rehabilitation

“…One study comparing 143 patients with malignant spinal cord compression found that patients with cancer-related SCI had similar length of stay, functional scores, and discharge location compared to non-traumatic SCI patients without cancer [41]. Inpatient rehabilitation has been consistently shown to improve function and help ensure a safe discharge home in many other advanced and complex cancer patient populations [42], including brain tumor [43], hematologic malignancy [44], paraneoplastic disease [45, 46], and stage II–III tumors [47]. The benefits of inpatient rehabilitation in cancer patients also appear to be independent of age [48].…”

Toward a National Initiative in Cancer Rehabilitation: Recommendations From a Subject Matter Expert Group

“…42 Such programs demonstrate clinically effective care delivery and improved functional outcomes that are often maintained after program completion. [43][44][45][46][47] Although the postacute rehabilitation model provides comprehensive rehabilitation services guided by a coordinated plan of care, this care plan is typically divorced from the oncology care plan and only in rare circumstances does one inform the other. Aside from a few specialty centers in the United States, there is notable variation in the services provided for oncology patients and a general lack of comprehensive rehabilitation care specific to their unique needs.…”

Psychiatric symptoms in glioma patients: from diagnosis to management

“…Some evaluation studies show modest improvement in brain tumor patients’ social cognition (assessed with the FIM as social interaction, problem-solving, and memory38), which does not appear to be related to the tumor type 35,36,39. However, it remains unclear whether the very brief FIM cognitive scores adequately reflect more subtle behavioral and personality changes and difficulties in social functioning in everyday life.…”