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Research Objectives
To determine triage criteria for neuro-oncology patients into exercise oncology versus
other rehabilitation programming (i.e. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and physiatry)
based on a Rehabilitation Triage Clinic (RTC) assessment. It was hypothesized that
the RTC assessments would determine effective referral into exercise or rehabilitation
programs.
Design
The study was a prospective cohort study.
Setting
Patients were referred from the Tom Baker Cancer Center into the publicly funded Cancer
Rehabilitation program.
Participants
Neuro-oncology patients >18 years and treated at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary,
Alberta, were referred into the RTC.
Interventions
The Rehabilitation Triage Clinic (RTC) was an assessment clinic designed to assess
patients using a standard set of criteria, and determine appropriate referral for
rehabilitation services.
Main Outcome Measures
A medical history, neurologic examination, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB),
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status, and Karnofsky Performance Score
(KPS) were used to determine triage. Triage criteria were based on pre-determined
criteria including an ECOG <3, KPS >50, SPPB >10, and no new or unmanaged medical
or neurological issues. Recruitment is ongoing.
Results
To date, 19 out of 32 eligible patients have been recruited, with an average of 57.2(±81.1)
months since diagnosis. The mean SPPB score was 9.6 (±2.1, range 5 to 12), below cut-off,
while the average KPS was 65 (±7.1, range 60-90), and ECOG score was 1.3 (±0.6, range
2 to 0), both above cut-off. Most patients were referred to multiple programs, including
2/19 patients to physiatry, 17/19 to physiotherapy, and 8/19 to occupational therapy.
All 19 patients were referred to and have tolerated the exercise oncology program.
Conclusions
The RTC has been valuable in identifying functional deficits and informing appropriate
triage criteria to further tailor rehabilitation and exercise program referral. This
initial data will inform the ongoing triage of neuro-oncology patients in Calgary,
Alberta.
Author(s) Disclosures
No conflict of interest to disclose.
Keywords
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© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.
