Onabotulinum toxin injections for shoulder and chest wall muscle pain in breast cancer survivors: retrospective study - preliminary report.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this retrospective review is to describe patient-reported improvement in muscular pain after initial treatment with onabotulinum toxin. A secondary objective was to determine other physiatry (physical medicine & rehabilitation (PM&R)) interventions ordered. METHODS: Preliminary retrospective review of physiatry interventions for 47 patients referred by breast radiation oncology to PM&R at a tertiary referral-based academic cancer centre clinic from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021 for muscular shoulder/chest wall pain. RESULTS: Patients were most commonly diagnosed with muscle spasm 27/47 (58%), lymphedema 21/47 (45%), myalgia/myofascial pain 16/47 (34%), radiation fibrosis 14/47 (30%), fatigue/deconditioning 13/47 (28%), neurological impairment 11/47 (23%) and joint pathology 3/47 (6%). The top three physiatric interventions were home exercise programme education (17/47, 36%), botulinum toxin injection (17/47, 36%) and physical or occupational therapy referral (15/47, 32%). Patients who had muscle spasms documented were more likely to have botulinum toxin recommended by physiatry (24/24) compared with those with questionable spasms (4/7) and those without spasms(0/16) (p=0.0005). 17/28 (60.7%) received botulinum toxin injection, and a total of 35 injections were performed during the study period. 94% (16/17) of patients who received botulinum toxin injection voiced improvement in pain after injection. CONCLUSION: Botulinum toxin injections may play a role in the treatment of muscle spasm-related pain in breast cancer survivors. Additional blinded controlled research on the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injection after breast cancer treatment with spastic muscular shoulder/chest wall pain is needed.

Assessment of rehabilitation practices during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the United States: a survey.

Background: Rehabilitation therapy is important to treat physical and functional impairments that may occur in individuals receiving physically taxing, yet potentially curative hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). However, there is scarce data on how rehabilitation is delivered during HSCT in real-life setting. Our objective is to assess the rehabilitation practices for adult patients hospitalized for HSCT in the United States. Methods: A 48-question online survey with cancer centers with the top 10% HSCT volumes (per American registries). We obtained data on patient characteristics, rehabilitation therapy details (timing, indication, administering providers), physical function objective and subjective outcome measures, and therapy activity precautions. Results: Fourteen (out of 21) institutions were included. Rehabilitation therapy referrals occurred at admission for all patients at 35.7% of the centers for: functional decline (92.9%), fall risk (71.4%), and discharge planning (71.4%). Participating institutions had physical therapists (92.9%), occupational therapists (85.7%), speech language pathologists (64.3%) and therapy aides (35.7%) in their rehabilitation team. Approximately 71% of centers used objective functional measures including sit-to-stand tests (50.0%), balance measures (42.9%), and six-minute walk/gait speed (both 35.7%). Monitoring of blood counts to determine therapy modalities frequently occurred and therapies held for low platelet or hemoglobin values; but absolute neutrophil values were not a barrier to participate in resistance or aerobic therapies (42.9%). Discussion: Rehabilitation practices during HSCT varied among the largest volume cancer centers in the United States, but most centers provided skilled therapy, utilized objective, clinician and patient reported outcomes, and monitored blood counts for safety of therapy administration.

Predictors of a Preference for Telemedicine Virtual Visits in Patients Undergoing Cancer Rehabilitation.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the use of virtual visits (telemedicine) at our cancer rehabilitation outpatient clinics from March 2020 to August 2021, when virtual visits became more widely available, and to identify any demographic and clinical variables making patients more likely to favor virtual over in-person visits. There were 3971 outpatient encounters (2020 virtual and 1951 in-person visits from a total of 1638 patients) in our cancer rehabilitation outpatient clinics during this time frame. Significant findings in both the univariate and multivariate analyses were race (P < .001 and P = .006, respectively), cancer type (P < .001 for both), and distance to the clinic (P < .001 for both). Our research showed that virtual visits were accepted by patients with cancer, and that younger age (62 compared to 65), non-White race/ethnicity, solid tumor, and shorter distance to the clinic were associated with a preference for virtual over in-person visits.

Inpatient Rehabilitation of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients: Managing Challenging Impairments and Medical Fragility.

ABSTRACT: Hematopoietic stem cell transplants play an important role in the treatment of cancer, particularly hematologic malignancies. These patients can encounter functional impairments unique to hematopoietic stem cell transplant, including deconditioning, cancer-related fatigue, steroid myopathy, graft versus host disease, and capillary leak syndrome. Medical fragility and increased risk of infection may make rehabilitation challenging on the acute care and postacute care settings. Patients admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation experience a high rate of transfer to the primary acute service and high rate of mortality after transfer back. Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians can use a number of strategies to mitigate these patients' risk of medical complications including evidence-based predictive models to assist with postacute rehabilitation triage, physiatry-led consult-based rehabilitation, and oncology hospitalist comanagement on inpatient rehabilitation.

The Role of Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in a Multidisciplinary Prehabilitation Program for Older Adults before Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

INTRODUCTION: Physical rehabilitation is increasingly incorporated throughout the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) journey for older adults. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R)-related diagnoses, exercise barriers, and management recommendations for older adults before allo-HSCT. DESIGN: Fifty PM&R consults as part of the Enhanced Recovery-Stem Cell Transplant (ER-SCT) multidisciplinary prehabilitation program at a comprehensive cancer center were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Many PM&R-related diagnoses (173), exercise barriers (55), and management recommendations (112) were found. Common diagnoses were musculoskeletal dysfunction (more commonly back, shoulder, then knee) (n = 39, 23%) and fatigue (n = 36, 21%). Common exercise barriers were also musculoskeletal dysfunction (more commonly back, knee, then shoulder) (total n = 20, 36%) and fatigue (n = 20, 36%). Most patients (n = 32, 64%) had 1 or more exercise barriers. Common PM&R management recommendations were personalized exercise counseling (n = 37, 33%), personalized nutrition management (n = 19, 17%), body composition recommendations (n = 17, 15%), medications (n = 15, 13%), and orthotics and durable medical equipment (n = 8, 7%). CONCLUSION: Routine PM&R referral of older allo-HSCT patients for prehabilitation resulted in the identification of many rehabilitative needs and substantial additional management recommendations. Increased early, collaborative prehabilitation efforts between PM&R and allo-HSCT teams to optimize care for these patients is recommended.

Changes in Patterns of Referral for Inpatient Rehabilitation Cancer Patients Due to COVID-19: A Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT: There is a paucity of literature on the effect of COVID-19 on hospital processes. We hypothesized that COVID-19 was associated with decreased cancer physiatry referrals in 2020. This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients from April to July 2019 and 2020 admitted at an academic quaternary cancer center. The main outcomes were number of hospital admissions, rate, and characteristics of inpatient rehabilitation admissions and change in percentage of physiatry referrals as the primary endpoint. Results showed that in 2019, there were 387 referrals from 10,274 inpatient admissions (3.8%; 95% confidence interval, 2.4-4.2), compared with 337 referrals from 7051 admissions in 2020 (4.8%; 95% confidence interval, 4.3-5.3, P = 0.001). Hematology services referred more patients than neurosurgery in 2020 (20.4% vs. 31.4%; 48.2% vs. 26.5%, P = 0.01). Discharge disposition reflected an increased frequency of return to acute care service in 2020 (10.2% vs. 21.8%, P = 0.03). In conclusion, there was an increase in the rate of physiatry referrals despite a decrease in hospital admissions. There was an increase in referrals by hematology, likely due to emphasis on safe discharge and the populations hospitalized.

Frequency, Characteristics, and Risk Factors for Falls at an Inpatient Cancer Rehabilitation Unit.

PURPOSE: Falls in the hospital can lead to adverse events, including injuries. Studies have shown that patients with cancer and those undergoing inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) are at higher risk for falls. Therefore, we measured the frequency, degree of harm, and characteristics of patients who fell in an inpatient cancer rehabilitation unit. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on inpatient cancer rehabilitation patients admitted from January 2012 to February 2016. Fall frequency, degree of harm, fall circumstances, cancer type, patient's fall risk score on the basis of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Adult Inpatient Fall Risk Assessment Tool (MAIFRAT), length of stay, and risk factors were evaluated for patients. RESULTS: There were 72 out of 1,571 unique individual falls (4.6%), with a falls incidence of 3.76 falls per 1,000 patient-days. Most fallers (86%) suffered no harm. Risk factors for falls included presence of patient-controlled analgesia pump (P = .03), pump such as insulin or wound vacuum-assisted closure (P < .01), nasogastric, gastric, or chest tube (P = .05), and higher MAIFRAT score (P < .01). The fallers were younger (62 v 66; P = .04), had a longer IPR stay (13 v 9; P = .03), and had a lower Charlson comorbidity index (6 v 8; P < .01). CONCLUSION: The frequency and degree of harm for falls in the IPR unit were less than previous studies, which suggests that mobilization for these patients with cancer is safe. The presence of certain medical devices may contribute to fall risk, and more research is needed to better prevent falls in this higher-risk subgroup.

Frequency and reasons for unplanned transfer to the primary acute care service of inpatient rehabilitation glioblastoma multiforme patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the percentage of and factors associated with unplanned transfer to the acute care service of glioblastoma multiforme acute rehabilitation inpatients. METHODS: Retrospective review of glioblastoma multiforme acute rehabilitation inpatients admitted 4/1/2016-3/31/2020 at a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine consecutive admissions of unique glioblastoma multiforme acute rehabilitation inpatients were analyzed. Fifteen patients (10.7%, 95% confidence interval 6.5-17.1%) were transferred to the acute care service for unplanned reasons. The most common reasons for transfer back were neurosurgical complication 6/15(40%), neurologic decline due to mass effect 4/15(26.7%), and pulmonary embolism 2/15(13.3%). Older age (p = 0.010), infection prior to acute inpatient rehabilitation transfer (p = 0.020), and lower activity measure of post-acute care 6-click basic mobility scores (p = 0.048) were significantly associated with transfer to the acute care service. Patients who transferred to the acute care service had significantly lower overall survival than patients who did not transfer off (log-rank test p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Acute inpatient physiatrists should closely monitor patients for neurosurgical and neurologic complications. The variables significantly associated with transfer to the acute care service may help identify patients at increased risk for medical complications who may require closer observation.

Differences in the Relationships Between Muscle Strength, Muscle Mass, Balance Function, and Quality of Life for Middle-Aged and Older Breast Cancer Survivors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in muscle strength, muscle mass, balance function, and quality of life (QOL) among middle-aged breast cancer survivors (BCSs) and older BCSs. METHODS: The study included 53 middle-aged (<65 years old) BCSs and 49 older (≥65 years old) BCSs. Muscle strength was evaluated via handgrip and knee extensor strength, and muscle mass was assessed using a body composition test. Balance function was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test and the body sway test. QOL was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. RESULTS: The older BCSs had significantly lower right grip strength, right knee extension strength, and muscle mass (P < .05) than the middle-aged BCSs. In addition, the body sway test showed that older BCSs had a significant increase in the length of center of pressure compared to middle-aged BCSs (P < .05). Older BCSs showed significantly lower physical functioning subscales in QOL compared to middle-aged BCSs (P < .05). The associations among muscle strength, muscle mass and QOL were more significantly observed in the older BCSs (P < .05). Furthermore, a significant correlation between QOL and balance function was observed in the older BCSs, but not in the middle-aged BCSs (P < .05). CONCLUSION: There may be associations among muscle strength, muscle mass, balance and QOL in older BCSs, but not in middle-aged BCSs. We believe that the findings of this study will be relevant in the context of planning rehabilitation for older BCSs.

The critical need to implement and utilize patient-reported measures of function in cancer care delivery.

The study by Smith et al. on the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Cancer Function Brief 3D Profile shows that it can be used to measure how an individual functions and how his or her function changes during cancer treatments. This is important because most patients will experience a decline in function during cancer treatment and will struggle to fully participate in their life roles. Strong evidence demonstrates that rehabilitation improves function for individuals with cancer; rehabilitation is relatively underutilized. We suggest that using the PROMIS tool as a repeated measure throughout cancer treatment will help to identify those with functional decline who will benefit most from rehabilitation.

Usability, acceptability, and implementation strategies for the Exercise in Cancer Evaluation and Decision Support (EXCEEDS) algorithm: a Delphi study.

INTRODUCTION: Oncology guidelines recommend participation in cancer rehabilitation or exercise services (CR/ES) to optimize survivorship. Yet, connecting the right survivor, with the right CR/ES, at the right time remains a challenge. The Exercise in Cancer Evaluation and Decision Support (EXCEEDS) algorithm was developed to enhance CR/ES clinical decision-making and facilitate access to CR/ES. We used Delphi methodology to evaluate usability, acceptability, and determine pragmatic implementation priorities. METHODS: Participants completed three online questionnaires including (1) simulated case vignettes, (2) 4-item acceptability questionnaire (0-5 pts), and (3) series of items to rank algorithm implementation priorities (potential users, platforms, strategies). To evaluate usability, we used Chi-squared test to compare frequency of accurate pre-exercise medical clearance and CR/ES triage recommendations for case vignettes when using EXCEEDS vs. without. We calculated mean acceptability and inter-rater agreement overall and in 4 domains. We used the Eisenhower Prioritization Method to evaluate implementation priorities. RESULTS: Participants (N = 133) mostly represented the fields of rehabilitation (69%), oncology (25%), or exercise science (17%). When using EXCEEDS (vs. without), their recommendations were more likely to be guideline concordant for medical clearance (83.4% vs. 66.5%, X2 = 26.61, p < .0001) and CR/ES triage (60.9% vs. 51.1%, X2 = 73.79, p < .0001). Mean acceptability was M = 3.90 ± 0.47; inter-rater agreement was high for 3 of 4 domains. Implementation priorities include 1 potential user group, 2 platform types, and 9 implementation strategies. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the EXCEEDS algorithm can be a pragmatic and acceptable clinical decision support tool for CR/ES recommendations. Future research is needed to evaluate algorithm usability and acceptability in real-world clinical pathways.

Review of needle electromyography complications in thrombocytopenic cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Needle electromyography (EMG) is understood to be a relatively safe procedure based on clinical experience. There are no evidence-based guidelines for EMG procedures in thrombocytopenic patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an increased risk of bleeding complications associated with needle EMG in patients with thrombocytopenia. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with a primary cancer and thrombocytopenia who underwent needle EMG between January 1, 2016 and October 30, 2020. Patients' medical records were reviewed for demographics; diagnoses; platelet counts within a 7-day period of EMG examination; concurrent use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications; number of sites sampled by needle EMG, including anatomical differentiation of paraspinal and both deep and superficial limb muscles; and associated complications not limited to bleeding within 30 days of EMG examination. RESULTS: The initial data search identified 198 patients with a documented diagnosis of thrombocytopenia; 124 met these criteria and were included in the study. A total of 1001 muscle sample sites were documented, with 111 sites in paraspinal muscles, 876 sites in superficial limb muscles, and 14 sites within deep limb muscles. Five patients were concurrently using therapeutic anticoagulation and 3 were using antiplatelet medications. There were no clinically significant complications, but five minor incidents were documented in the medical records within 30 days post-EMG examination. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that bleeding complications from standard needle EMG in oncology patients with documented thrombocytopenia are rare. Testing of high-risk muscles in this patient population appears to be safe.

Relationship between balance function and QOL in cancer survivors and healthy subjects.

ABSTRACT: A previous study reported that cancer survivors exhibit decreased postural stability compared to age-matched controls. Another study showed that cancer survivors have a lower quality of life (QOL) compared to healthy subjects, and there was a significant relationship between muscle strength and QOL in cancer survivors. We aimed to investigate differences in the associations between balance function and QOL in cancer survivors and healthy subjects.Forty-one cancer survivors and 33 healthy subjects were included. Balance function was evaluated using the timed up and go test, and body sway was tested using a force platform. QOL was assessed using the medical outcome study 36-item short-form health survey.Cancer survivors exhibited significantly higher timed up and go and lower QOL than that of healthy subjects (P < .05). There was a significant association between body sway and QOL (P < .05) among cancer survivors. However, healthy subjects had subscales for QOL related to the body sway test parameters more frequently than cancer survivors (P < .05).Cancer survivors' balance function may have little effect on QOL, unlike in healthy subjects.

Physical Activity for Individuals Living with Advanced Cancer: Evidence and Recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: To provide health and fitness professionals with screening, triage, prescription, and physical activity recommendations to better serve individuals living with advanced cancer. A call to action regarding next steps to improve research and knowledge translation is also outlined, ensuring the growing number of those with advanced cancers are supported in their efforts to adopt and adhere to active lifestyles. DATA SOURCES: Sources include published literature, physical activity guidelines, and expert opinion from physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, exercise physiologists, and health and exercise psychology researchers. CONCLUSION: Individuals with advanced cancer who engage in regular physical activity report improved function, fatigue management, and quality of life, while objective testing shows improvements in fitness and physical function. Although there are no clear activity guidelines or recommendations for this population, patients must avoid inactivity to gain health benefits and minimize deconditioning. For most patients with advanced cancer, physical activity prescriptions should focus on maintaining fitness and functional independence, and specific modifications based on common comorbidities must be considered. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Evidence supports the use of physical activity for the management of symptoms experienced by those with advanced cancers. Understanding the benefits of physical activity for patients with advanced cancer is important because health care providers play a key role in the adoption and adherence of physical activity among patients.

Development of the Exercise in Cancer Evaluation and Decision Support (EXCEEDS) algorithm.

PURPOSE: Participation in exercise or rehabilitation services is recommended to optimize health, functioning, and well-being across the cancer continuum of care. However, limited knowledge of individual needs and complex decision-making are barriers to connect the right survivor to the right exercise/rehabilitation service at the right time. In this article, we define the levels of exercise/rehabilitation services, provide a conceptual model to improve understanding of individual needs, and describe the development of the Exercise in Cancer Evaluation and Decision Support (EXCEEDS) algorithm. METHODS: From literature review, we synthesized defining characteristics of exercise/rehabilitation services and individual characteristics associated with safety and efficacy for each service. We developed a visual model to conceptualize the need for each level of specialized care, then organized individual characteristics into a risk-stratified algorithm. Iterative review with a multidisciplinary expert panel was conducted until consensus was reached on algorithm content and format. RESULTS: We identified eight defining features of the four levels of exercise/rehabilitation services and provide a conceptual model of to guide individualized navigation for each service across the continuum of care. The EXCEEDS algorithm includes a risk-stratified series of eleven dichotomous questions, organized in two sections and ten domains. CONCLUSIONS: The EXCEEDS algorithm is an evidence-based decision support tool that provides a common language to describe exercise/rehabilitation services, a practical model to understand individualized needs, and step-by-step decision support guidance. The EXCEEDS algorithm is designed to be used at point of care or point of need by multidisciplinary users, including survivors. Thus, implementation may improve care coordination for cancer exercise/rehabilitation services.

Physical function predicts mortality in patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether physical function can predict mortality in patients with cancer. METHODS: Literature searches were conducted in Web of Science, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest, PEDro, and PubMed for articles published before September 2020. Four review authors retrieved studies using predetermined eligibility criteria and conducted quality assessment and data extraction. RESULTS: A total of 1356 titles and abstracts were screened; ultimately, 26 studies were determined to be suitable for meta-analysis. Grip strength was significantly associated with mortality risk in patients with cancer (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.15, P = 0.005). Gait speed was also associated with mortality risk (HR = 1.58, P = 0.0004). In grip strength and gait speed, the subgroup comprised of patients with cancer aged ≥ 80 years had a higher effect size than that of patients aged < 80 years. The short physical performance battery measurement was markedly associated with mortality risk, showing the largest effect size (HR = 2.37, P < 0.00001). The 6-min walking test distance was significantly associated with mortality risk (HR = 1.55, P = 0.001). The timed up and go test was significantly associated with mortality risk with a high effect size (HR = 2.66, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that physical function predicted mortality in patients with cancer. Furthermore, physical function outcomes in patients aged 80 years and above reflected a higher mortality.

Medical Complications and Prognostic Factors for Medically Unstable Conditions During Acute Inpatient Cancer Rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: Acute inpatient rehabilitation provides concurrent medical care and intensive rehabilitation. We sought to describe the nature of types of medical complications and to identify the more frequent types of medical complications management in patients with cancer undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all consecutive patients admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation from September 1, 2017, through February 28, 2018. Presenting problem noted to be a significant change in medical status using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Evaluation and Management Service Guide was defined as a medical complication. We recorded demographic and clinical characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess prognostic factors for returning to acute care. RESULTS: Among 165 evaluable patients, 158 (96%) had at least one medical complication, and 31 (19%) had an unplanned return to acute care. After excluding three patients who had planned return to acute care, there was a cohort of 162 patients and the most common medical complication categories were electrolyte abnormalities 81 (50%), musculoskeletal 70 (43%), genitourinary or renal 61 (38%), hematologic 58 (36%), and cardiovascular problems 46 (28%). Multivariable analysis showed that tachycardia (odds ratio [OR], 7.83; 95% CI, 2.23 to 27.54; P = .001) and weekly or more frequent RBC transfusions (OR, 5.23; 95% CI, 1.39 to 19.64; P = .014) were independently associated with unplanned return to acute care. CONCLUSION: A high frequency and wide range of medical complications and interventions occur in patients with cancer undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation. Close monitoring and expertise are needed for this patient population.

Exercise Barriers and Adherence to Recommendations in Patients With Cancer.

PURPOSE: The American College of Sports Medicine exercise guidelines for cancer survivors encourage a combination of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and 2-3 weekly sessions of strength training. Cancer survivors often experience more barriers to meeting recommended guidelines because of side effects from cancer treatments. Our aim was to measure the cancer survivors' adherence and barriers with these recommendations. METHODS: Two hundred adult cancer survivors completed surveys (Stanford Patient Education Research Center Exercise Behaviors Survey and an exercise barrier scale) reporting their physical activity, barriers to physical activity, and symptom assessment. RESULTS: A total of 68/200 participants (34%) reported adhering to the recommended physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes or more per week. Those who adhered to the guidelines reported fewer barriers to exercise (mean of 2.44 compared with 4.15 barriers, P < .0001). Female participants (P = .01), higher number of barriers, and feeling of poor well-being were less likely to report at least 60 or 150 minutes of exercise time. Lack of interest (P = .003) and self-discipline (P = .001) were reported as barriers. These participants were more likely to report high symptom burden of pain (P = .007) and fatigue (P = .005). Participants who reported < 60 minutes of exercise reported lack of enjoyment (P = .03), lack of equipment (P = .01), and symptoms of poor appetite, poor well-being, and increased dyspnea. CONCLUSION: Although recommendations are given for exercise, adherence to recommendations is low. Issues of motivation, including lack of interest and self-discipline, and symptoms of pain and fatigue were some of the main reported barriers to adhering to the recommended exercise guidelines. Therefore, interventions aimed at increasing motivation and treating symptoms could improve cancer survivor adherence to recommended exercise guidelines.

Rehabilitation Utilization by Cancer Patients with Pathology-Confirmed Leptomeningeal Disease Receiving Intrathecal Chemotherapy.

ABSTRACT: The incidence of leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is believed to be increasing in part because of more effective chemotherapy treatments allowing cancer progression behind the blood-brain barrier. However, little has been published about the rehabilitation of this growing patient population. In this study, impairments and rehabilitation utilization by cytology-proven LMD patients receiving intrathecal chemotherapy at a cancer center are described. A total of 109 consecutive patients with pathology-confirmed LMD who received an intrathecal chemotherapy infusion from January 1, 2017, through October 31, 2017, were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 109 patients, 103 (95%) had impairments described in their medical record that could impact physical function, including 74 of 109 (68%) who had deconditioning or fatigue. Kaplan-Meier median survival from initial LMD diagnosis was 13.1 mos. The median number of hospital admissions and intrathecal chemotherapy administrations was both 8. Of the 109 patients, 43 (39%) had magnetic resonance imaging radiology interpreted LMD. Most LMD patients used rehabilitation services (95/109, 87%) and most were able to forego post-acute inpatient rehabilitation facilities (96/109, 88%). Additional research and education for rehabilitation professionals about this increasingly common syndrome are needed.

Cancer Rehabilitation Providers and Oncology Patient Expectations for Functional Outcomes after Inpatient Rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Cancer rehabilitation is a valued resource for patients and oncologists. Cancer rehabilitation providers are seeing increasing numbers of referrals for inpatient rehabilitation as the number of cancer survivors grows. However, cancer rehabilitation providers, oncologists, therapists, patients, and caregivers may not always clearly communicate the goals of care, which can lead to different expectations for inpatient rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the difference in expectations of function after an acute inpatient rehabilitation stay between cancer patients and cancer rehabilitation providers and how they align with achieved goals after treatment. DESIGN: Prospective survey study. SETTING: Quaternary academic medical center inpatient rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: Out of 194 eligible patients, 132 were enrolled and completed admission surveys, and 110 completed the discharge survey. Twelve cancer rehabilitation providers completed the surveys. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Barthel Index. RESULTS: Patients estimated their expected functional status as a median (interquartile range) score of 19 points (18, 20) using the Barthel Index, compared to cancer rehabilitation providers, who estimated a median score of 17 points (15, 19) (P < .001). Actual functional status upon discharge was a median score of 16 points (13, 18) using the Barthel Index, which was three points lower than expected by patients (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Oncology patients and cancer rehabilitation providers significantly overestimate functional goals for acute inpatient rehabilitation. This overestimation was clinically significant for oncology patients and statistically but not clinically significant for cancer rehabilitation providers. Increased communication may allow for a more realistic expectation of functional status upon discharge.