Research conducted at Regina Elena Cancer Institute has updated our knowledge about brain cancer quality of care
2007 NOV 19 -- A report, 'Home rehabilitation for brain tumor patients,' is newly published data in Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research. "To determine whether a program of post-discharge rehabilitation at home for patients operated for brain tumor was associated with functional gain and improvement in Quality of Life (QoL). One hundred and twenty-one patients affected by malignant brain tumor were enrolled in a program of post-discharge home care including neurorehabilitation," scientists writing in the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research report. "Functional outcome was evaluated with Barthel Index (BI) and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) measured before and after rehabilitation. The impact of rehabilitation on quality of life was evaluated with a quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30-BM 20) Barthel Index improved in 47 (39%) patients, was stable in 20 (16%) and worsened in 54 (44%). Only 54 patients completed the QoL questionnaire before and after treatment. After three months of rehabilitation, 72% of patients were found to have an improvement in at least one domain score compared with their baseline QoL scores. Rehabilitation at home in brain tumor patients was associated with significant functional gain measured both with BI and KPS," wrote A. Pace and colleagues, Regina Elena Cancer Institute. The researchers concluded: "The benefit of rehabilitation may influence patient's perception of quality of life." Pace and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research (Home rehabilitation for brain tumor patients. Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, 2007;26(3):297-300). Additional information can be obtained by contacting A. Pace, Palliative Home-Care Unit for Brain Tumor Patients, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy. The publisher of the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research can be contacted at: Apsit Association PROM Stud Immunology Tumor, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy. Keywords: Italy, Rome, Brain Cancer Quality of Care, Brain Cancer, Brain Carcinoma, Cancer Research, Oncology, Quality of Care, Quality of Life. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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