title: Symptom Burden and Functional Gains in a Cancer Rehabilitation Unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if there is a relationship between patient symptoms and functional improvement on inpatient rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of medical records at an American tertiary referral-based cancer center of all patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit between 3/1/2013-5/20/2013. Main outcome measures included the Edmonton Symptom and Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The medical records for 71 unique cancer rehabilitation inpatients were analyzed. Statistical analysis of total admission ESAS on total FIM change found no significant relationships. The symptom burden of the patients was mild. Patients demonstrated statistically significant improvements in function and symptoms during inpatient rehabilitation. The mean change in total FIM and total ESAS were an increase of 19.20 and decrease of 7.41 respectively. Statistically significant changes occurred in fatigue, sleep, pain, and anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both symptom and functional scores improved significantly during inpatient rehabilitation. However, no significant relationships were found between symptoms at admission and improvement in FIM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
authors.forename: Jack B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Houston.
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
authors.forename: Kenny B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
authors.forename: Christian M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Siangco
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
authors.forename: Amy H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Houston.
authors.forename: Dennis W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruera
keywords: Cancer; Function; Inpatient; Rehabilitation; Symptoms