The importance of a continuum of rehabilitation from diagnosis of advanced cancer to palliative care

Abstract

The importance of a continuum of rehabilitation from diagnosis of advanced cancer to palliative careThe continuum of rehabilitation in advanced cancer Purpose: Identifying the evidence found in the international scientific literature, referring to the concept of rehabilitation in the setting of oncologic palliative care. Methods: Integrative literature review based on articles published in indexed journals on the electronic databases: LILACS, CINAHL and PubMed/MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE, OTSEEKER and PEDRO, following the PRISMA criteria. The quantitative articles were evaluated using the McMaster form for quantitative studies and the qualitative studies were assessed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Program. The studies were inserted in the Rayyan™ application. Results: The final sample was composed of 21 qualitative and quantitative articles published in the period from 2004 to 2021, in nine different countries. Three thematic units were defined addressing the interface between palliative care and rehabilitation, the concept of palliative rehabilitation and the barriers to its implementation. The quality of the articles reviewed varied from 31% to 100% of the criteria met. Conclusion:The international scientific production reinforces the importance of including rehabilitation in care in oncologic palliative care, highlighting the concept of palliative rehabilitation, but there is a need for expanding and divulging new research on the theme and the results.

The Effect of Back Massage Applied to Palliative Care Patients on Sleep Quality and Pain

“…Palliative rehabilitation has an important role in the treatment of people with advanced cancer by helping to improve quality of life and relieve pain, symptoms and distress. Rehabilitation and palliative care services should be considered as inseparable elements (3). Patients in need of palliative care experience a high rate of difficult-to-control symptoms such as pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression (4).…”

The intentional pursuit of everyday life while dying: A longitudinal qualitative study of working-aged adults living with advanced cancer

“…3,27,28 Rehabilitation is utilised routinely to optimise function following illness, surgery or to prevent frailty, but it is not used routinely for people with advanced cancer. 29 In 2021, the World Health Organization 30,31 declared that rehabilitation be considered as an integral component of palliative care services. Palliative rehabilitation is important to consider for working-aged adults, as it can facilitate continued engagement in valued activities as they face the challenges of functional decline associated with advanced cancer.…”