Functional outcome following rehabilitation of the cancer patient.
OBJECTIVE
To identify impairments resulting from cancer or its treatment in patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation, to assess the extent of functional gains, and to determine if cancer type, ongoing radiation treatment, or the presence of metastatic disease influences functional improvement.


METHODS
A retrospective, case series of cancer patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation at a free-standing, university-affiliated rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
A referred sample of 159 patients admitted because of functional impairments resulting from cancer or its treatment during a 2-year time period.


METHODS
Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation.


METHODS
Functional status as measured by the motor score of the Functional Independence Measure.


RESULTS
Significant functional gains were made between admission (mean = 42.9) and discharge (mean = 56.0; p < .001), with all cancer subgroups making similar gains. The presence of metastatic disease did not influence functional outcome, and those patients receiving radiation actually made larger functional improvements (p = .025).


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals impaired by cancer or its treatment benefit from inpatient rehabilitation. The presence of metastatic disease or ongoing radiation should not preclude participation.
Marciniak
C M
CM
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA.
Sliwa
J A
JA
Spill
G
G
Heinemann
A W
AW
Semik
P E
PE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome