title: A randomized controlled trial of outpatient CAncer REhabilitation for older adults: The CARE Program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Large numbers of older adults (aged 65years or older) are surviving cancer; however, many survivors report decreased quality of life (QOL) and limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) both during and after treatment [1-3]. Occupational and physical therapy (OT/PT) are services focused on improving functional status and QOL that are largely unexplored and underutilized in cancer survivorship care [4,5].
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a randomized, single-blind, two-arm, single institution pilot study. Eighty-two patients will be recruited from a university-affiliated outpatient oncology clinic. Inclusion criteria include the following: aged 65years or older, diagnosis of cancer within 5years, English speaking, has at least one functional deficit, and able to safely participate in an outpatient rehabilitation program. Exclusion criteria are: currently receiving rehabilitation or eligible for hospice. Consented patients will be randomized into two groups: (1) the CARE (CAncer REhabilitation) Program consisting of outpatient OT/PT and (2) standard of care.
  
  
  METHODS
  change in Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL) scores from baseline to 3months between CARE and control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is one of the first RCTs aimed at examining the effect of OT/PT in older adults with cancer. If positive, findings from this study will suggest the potential for outpatient OT/PT to improve the functional ability and QOL of older adults with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Care Quality Training Program, 1102G McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB# 7411, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, 1102G McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB# 7411, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Electronic address: pergolot@email.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Mackenzi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pergolotti
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Core Facility, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, 170 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Electronic address: Allison_Deal@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Allison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Deal
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Oncology Program, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, 170 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Electronic address: Grant.Williams@unchealth.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Grant R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carrington Hall, CB #7460, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460, USA. Electronic address: anleak@email.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Ashley L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, 1101D McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Campus Box 7411, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Electronic address: bbreeve@email.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Bryce B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Reeve
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Oncology Program, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, 170 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Electronic address: hyman_muss@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Hyman B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Muss
keywords: Cancer rehabilitation; Geriatric oncology; Occupational therapy; Physical therapy