ArticlesFunctional outcomes of persons with brain tumors after inpatient rehabilitation☆,☆☆
Section snippets
Methods
We reviewed the charts of all patients diagnosed with a primary or secondary brain tumor who were at or over the age of 18 years and were discharged from our comprehensive, free-standing, university-affiliated, inpatient acute rehabilitation program within a 3-year period (Sept 1993-Aug 1996). Through program outcome data and chart review we obtained: (1) demographic data including age, gender, inpatient rehabilitation length of stay (LOS), and discharge location; (2) tumor information,
Results
A total of 120 charts representing 132 patient admissions that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Nine people were admitted for more than 1 rehabilitation stay; both first and subsequent rehabilitation admissions were included in the study. Two charts were not available and only data from program evaluation could be used in these cases. The 23 admissions who did not have complete admission and discharge FIM data were excluded from analyses of FIM change and efficiency.
Of our total
Discussion
Brain tumors, both primary and metastatic, are increasing in frequency.11 This increase is being seen in an older population with malignant brain tumors as well as in nonimmunosuppressed individuals with lymphomas.11 Metastatic disease to the brain has also become more prevalent as treatments have improved for tumors of nonneurologic origin.11 Newer chemotherapeutic agents, such as implantable chemotherapy wafers, and more aggressive radiation treatments, including gamma knife, external beam
Conclusion
Persons with brain tumors hospitalized for inpatient rehabilitation have significant functional impairments that can improve with inpatient rehabilitation interventions. Even patients with more histologically aggressive tumor types improved their FIM scores after an inpatient rehabilitation program and radiation did not impact negatively on the gains made. Decisions regarding the provision of inpatient rehabilitation should not be based solely on the tumor type or requirements for ongoing
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No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
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Reprint requests to Christina M. Marciniak, MD, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Rm 1106, 345 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611.