Rehabilitation of persons with central nervous system tumors

Abstract

A tumor that affects the central nervous system can have a dramatic impact on the individual affected, as well as his or her family and friends. The tumor, regardless of extent or location, may affect the physical, social, vocational, and emotional capabilities of the individual. Basic aspects of rehabilitation for patients with tumors affecting the brain and spinal cord are reviewed in this article. The authors have found that the same principles of neurorehabilitation applied to persons with traumatic brain injury, stroke, and traumatic spinal cord injury are equally appropriate for persons with brain and spinal cord tumors. These principles include the prevention of medical complications; the treatment of medical problems such as pain, spasticity, and neuropathic bowel and bladder; and the improvement of patients' mobility and activities of daily living. Rehabilitation specialists can help prevent complications, maximize function, and improve the quality of life for patients with central nervous system tumors. Cancer 2001;92:1029–38. © 2001 American Cancer Society.

An Interprofessional Palliative Care Oncology Rehabilitation Program: Effects on Function and Predictors of Program Completion

“…Our team and others have shown evidence of benefit for treatment of symptoms by disease site, such as gastrointestinal or head-and-neck 3,5,11 , colorectal 12 , prostate 13 , breast 14,15 , and central nervous system sites 16 . There is also evidence for the successful treatment of symptoms by various professional disciplines, including occupational therapy 17 , physical therapy 18 , nursing 19 , social work 20 , and dietetics 21 .…”

Patients’ constructions of disability in metastatic spinal cord compression

“…However, without consideration of patients' ability to achieve an acceptable quality of life post-treatment, this approach will not adequately address the range of problems patients encounter: muscle weakness, impaired skin sensation, pain, spasticity, incontinence, sexual dysfunction and the emotional consequences of a sudden loss of independence. [4][5][6] These are issues which in other conditions, such as spinal cord injury and stroke, would merit participation in a structured programme of rehabilitation. In these longer-term conditions, there is evidence that rehabilitation is effective in restoring independence, contributing to psychological well-being and promoting social participation.…”

Inpatient rehabilitation outcomes in patients with malignant spinal cord compression compared to other non-traumatic spinal cord injury: A population based study

“…7 Inpatient rehabilitation services will take greater prominence in the management of MSCC-related impairments with advances in its detection, medical and surgical management, and survival. 8 A recent systematic review of retrospective cohort studies suggests that patients with neoplastic myelopathy achieve comparable gains in the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score relative to their non-cancer counterparts with similar impairments. 9 In the only study that has prospectively evaluated the efficacy of rehabilitation following MSCC, 12 non-ambulatory veterans with paraplegia secondary to spine metastases were non-randomly allocated to a two-week course of inpatient rehabilitation.…”