Palliative Rehabilitation in Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report - Abstract
Introduction: Patients diagnosed with cancer may experience a myriad of difficulties secondary to the malignancy itself and treatments received. Such patients may undergo intensive inpatient rehabilitation therapy to improve functionality and independence. In cases with unknown or poor prognoses, inpatient rehabilitation may serve as a beneficial intervention, enabling patients to remain at home for end-of-life care and potentially improving patient outcomes.
Case Presentation: The case presented here details the experience of a patient with progressive tetraplegia resulting from a cervical glioma. The patient presented with decreased ability to perform activities of daily living and underwent 29 days of inpatient rehabilitation, resulting in overall improved functioning and ability to remain safely at home.
Discussion: Inpatient rehabilitation for patients with progressive or terminal cancer may enable longer in-home residence and prevent or delay transfer to nursing facilities or hospice care. Increased functionality can decrease caregiver burden, mitigate complication rates, reduce healthcare costs, and improve morale. By applying cancer-specific performance scales to rehabilitation, practitioners can better assess and predict suitability for inpatient rehabilitation in this complex population