Bertheussen, G.F., Kaasa, S., Hokstad, A., Sandmæl, J.A., Helbostad, J.L., Salvesen, Ø., & Oldervoll, L.M. (2012). Feasibility and changes in symptoms and functioning following inpatient cancer rehabilitation. Acta Oncologica, 51, 1070–1080.
To assess feasibility and effects of an inpatient rehabilitation program on symptoms and physical function
Participants attended three weeks of inpatient rehabilitation and a follow-up five-day stay 8–12 weeks later. All attended group programs, which included physical training and education following cognitive behavioral approaches. Physical training was done twice a day for 60–120 minutes.
Multiple symptoms showed decline. These were statistically significant; however, the degree of change seen from the end of the initial three weeks to the final measure was less than that which the authors identified as clinically relevant. Fatigue scores increased from baseline to postintervention measures (8.9–9.3 for physical fatigue and 4.9 for mental fatigue at both time points). All symptoms declined from baseline over time.
Findings suggest that a multicomponent rehabilitation program can improve multiple symptoms for patients with cancer.
Findings showed improvement of multiple symptoms after a three-week inpatient rehabilitation program. This was resource intensive and had many dropouts, causing one to question the practicality and cost-effectiveness of this approach. This study is limited by its design, with lack of a control group.