A 12-week interdisciplinary rehabilitation trial in patients with gliomas – a feasibility study

Abstract

This study demonstrates that an intensive rehabilitation intervention of physical therapy and occupational therapy in the initial treatment phase of patients with gliomas whose Karnofsky performance status is ≥70 is safe and feasible, if relevant inclusion criteria and precautionary screening are made. With the revised protocol, we are confident that the foundation for conducting a successful randomized controlled trial among these vulnerable patients has been established. Implications for rehabilitation Brain tumors constitute some of the most challenging cancer diagnoses presenting for rehabilitation intervention. Patients with gliomas experiences limitations in physical functioning, cognition, and emotional wellbeing. In a relatively small sample this study shows that supervised physical- and occupational therapy in patients with gliomas is safe and feasible in the initial treatment phase. Patients with gliomas can potentially improve functioning through interdisciplinary rehabilitation.