Physical functioning and quality of life after cancer rehabilitation

Int J Rehabil Res. 2004 Mar;27(1):27-35. doi: 10.1097/00004356-200403000-00004.

Abstract

In order to overcome cancer-related problems and to improve quality of life, an intensive multi-focus rehabilitation programme for cancer patients was developed. We hypothesised that this six-week intensive rehabilitation programme would result in physiological improvements and improvement in quality of life. Thirty-four patients with cancer-related physical and psychosocial problems were the subjects of a prospective observational study. A six-week intensive multi-focus rehabilitation programme consisted of four components: individual exercise, sports, psycho-education, and information. Measurements (symptom-limited bicycle ergometry performance, muscle force and quality of life [RAND-36, RSCL, MFI]) were performed before (T0) and after six weeks of rehabilitation (T1). After the intensive rehabilitation programme, statistically significant improvements were found in symptom-limited bicycle ergometry performance, muscle force, and several domains of the RAND-36, RSCL and MFI. The six-week intensive multi-focus rehabilitation programme had immediate beneficial effects on physiological variables, on quality of life and on fatigue.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Breathing Exercises
  • Exercise Movement Techniques*
  • Exercise Test
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Female
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Neoplasms / psychology
  • Neoplasms / rehabilitation*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*
  • Relaxation Therapy
  • Stress, Psychological / prevention & control
  • Treatment Outcome