Factors Influencing the Improvement of Activities of Daily Living during Inpatient Rehabilitation in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme

Age-independent benefits of postoperative rehabilitation during chemoradiotherapy on functional outcomes and survival in patients with glioblastoma

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of early and continuous postoperative inpatient rehabilitation during chemoradiotherapy on functional outcomes and overall survival (OS) in patients with glioblastoma (GBM), particularly in different age groups.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study at a university hospital (2011-2016) included 75 of 119 consecutive patients newly diagnosed with GBM who underwent standardized treatment and postoperative rehabilitation. Patients were divided into older (≥ 65 years, n = 45) and younger (< 65 years, n = 30) groups, engaging in a 50-day rehabilitation program. We assessed rehabilitation progress, Barthel Index (BI), Brunnstrom Recovery Stage (BRS), adverse events, and OS. BI at discharge and survival were analyzed using multivariate and Cox regression models, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean age was 72.5 ± 6.3 and 52.4 ± 7.8 years in the older and younger groups, respectively. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in BI and BRS. Despite more adverse events in the older group, no significant difference existed in median OS (older group: 18.7 months vs. younger group: 18.3 months, p = 0.87). Early walking training, reduced fatigue during chemoradiotherapy, and high Karnofsky Performance Status at admission significantly impacted the BI at discharge. Cox regression analysis identified the BI at discharge as a significant predictor of survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-0.99, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Integrated rehabilitation improves functional outcomes, and enhanced ADL at discharge is associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with GBM, regardless of age. This highlights the need for personalized rehabilitation in treatment protocols. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Improvements in activities of daily living among patients with brain tumors are associated with age, baseline physical function, duration of rehabilitation, and tumor recurrence but not type

Genetic testing has improved the accuracy of diagnosis of brain tumors, and treatment is now tailored to the type of brain tumor. In contrast, the factors that influence the improvement in independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) following rehabilitation have not been clarified, particularly the role of tumor type. In this retrospective cohort study of 358 participants, we analyzed changes in the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) from pre-rehabilitation to post-rehabilitation provided in an acute care hospital. Multiple regression was used to determine whether FIM gain is associated with age, gender, preadmission Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), number of rehabilitation days, average duration of daily therapy (min/day), and tumor recurrence and type (WHO grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 gliomas; primary central nervous system lymphomas; and metastatic brain tumors). The results showed that older age (β -0.183), tumor recurrence (β -0.137), preadmission KPS < 80 (β -0.180), and higher baseline total FIM score (β -0.470) were associated with lower FIM gain whereas the average duration of daily therapy (β 0.153) was associated with higher FIM gain. Brain tumor type was not associated with FIM gain. Improved independence in ADLs is more influenced by demographic, functional status, and treatment factors than differences in brain tumor type.

The Karnofsky Performance Status at Discharge Is a Prognostic Indicator of Life Expectancy in Patients With Glioblastoma

Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent invasive brain tumor and a rapidly progressive disease with a poor prognosis that predominantly affects middle-aged and older adults. The relationship between daily functioning and prognosis in patients with GBM will become more important as advances in multimodality treatment are expected to increase the number of long-term survivors. Methods Sixty-seven patients were initially diagnosed with GBM at our hospital between December 2013 and December 2022. All patients were divided into two groups: those who survived for one year or longer from the date of discharge (Group A) and those who died within one year from the date of discharge (Group B). Muscle strength, nutritional status, and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) were examined upon admission (p1), post-surgery (p2), and discharge (p3), and their relationships with prognosis were investigated. Results Group A was significantly younger than Group B, with a significant difference in the total radiation dose. There were no significant differences in the anatomical tumor location, whether the tumor occurred on the left or right side, or tumor size. KPS at discharge (p3) and the degree of improvement in the KPS between p1 and p3 were associated with a good prognosis. Conclusions The KPS varies throughout the treatment. When considering the KPS as a prognostic indicator, the KPS at discharge is the most important, given the structure of the disability and the course of treatment for GBM.

Functional State and Rehabilitation of Patients after Primary Brain Tumor Surgery for Malignant and Nonmalignant Tumors: A Prospective Observational Study

The aim of this study was to compare the pre- and postoperative function of patients qualifying for resection of malignant and nonmalignant primary brain tumors to determine the relationship among tumor type, function, and the course of rehabilitation after surgery. This single-center, prospective, observational study recruited 92 patients requiring prolonged postoperative rehabilitation during their inpatient stay, who were divided into a nonmalignant tumor group (n = 66) and a malignant tumor group (n = 26). Functional status and gait efficiency were assessed using a battery of instruments. Motor skills, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay (LoS) were recorded and compared between groups. The frequency and severity of postoperative complications, the time needed to attain individual motor skills, and the proportion of patients losing independent gait (~30%) were similar between groups. However, paralysis and paresis were more frequent in the malignant tumor group before surgery (p < 0.001). While nonmalignant tumor patients deteriorated more according to all scales after surgery, patients with malignant tumors were still characterized by worse ADL, independence, and performance at discharge. Worse functional outcomes in the malignant tumor group did not affect LoS or rehabilitation. Patients with malignant and nonmalignant tumors have similar rehabilitation needs, and patient expectation-especially those with nonmalignant tumors-should be appropriately managed.

Rehabilitation Outcomes for Patients with Motor Deficits after Initial and Repeat Brain Tumor Surgery

Repeat surgery is often required to treat brain tumor recurrences. Here, we compared the functional state and rehabilitation of patients undergoing initial and repeat surgery for brain tumors to establish their individual risks that might impact management. In total, 835 patients underwent operations, and 139 (16.6%) required rehabilitation during the inpatient stay. The Karnofsky performance status, Barthel index, and the modified Rankin scale were used to assess functional status, and the gait index was used to assess gait efficiency. Motor skills, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay were recorded. Patients were classified into two groups: first surgery (n = 103) and repeat surgery (n = 30). Eighteen percent of patients required reoperations, and these patients required prolonged postoperative rehabilitation as often as those operated on for the first time. Rehabilitation was more often complicated in the repeat surgery group (p = 0.047), and the complications were more severe and persistent. Reoperated patients had significantly worse motor function and independence in activities of daily living before surgery and at discharge, but the deterioration after surgery affected patients in the first surgery group to a greater extent according to all metrics (p < 0.001). The length of hospital stay was similar in both groups. These results will be useful for tailoring postoperative rehabilitation during a hospital stay on the neurosurgical ward as well as planning discharge requirements after leaving the hospital.

Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Primary Brain Tumors after Acute Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Analyses of Factors

Although primary brain tumors are relatively rare, they cause significant morbidity and mortality due to the high rates of neurological impairment. The purpose of this study was to examine the physical and functional outcomes of patients with primary brain tumors who had undergone inpatient rehabilitation. This was a retrospective study which recruited 163 patients who had been admitted for inpatient rehabilitation. Rehabilitation outcomes, including the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), were recorded up to 1 year post-discharge. The majority of patients (79.1%) had low-grade (WHO Class I-II) tumors, 35 (21.5%) were diagnosed with GBM and 52 (31.9%) had recurrent brain tumors. Rehabilitation outcomes were sustained, with 125 (76.7%) and 113 (69.3%) patients having a GOS of ≥4 at 6 months and 1 year after discharge, respectively. A GOS of ≥4 at 1 year was negatively associated with high-grade tumors (p < 0.001) and radiotherapy (p = 0.028), and positively associated with a higher discharge FIM motor score (p < 0.001) and the presence of a caregiver after discharge (p = 0.034). Our study demonstrates significant positive functional benefits from 4 weeks of inpatient neuro-oncological rehabilitation for patients with primary brain tumors, as well as the importance of supportive care from caregivers.

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy in Grade 2/3 IDH1/2 Mutant Gliomas: A Preliminary Report and Literature Review

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has become an increasingly utilized alternative to surgical resection for the treatment of glioma in patients. However, treatment outcomes in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) mutant glioma, specifically, have not been reported. The objective of this study was to characterize a single institution’s cohort of IDH1/2 mutant grade 2/3 glioma patients treated with LITT. We collected data on patient presentation, radiographic features, tumor molecular profile, complications, and outcomes. We calculated progression-free survival (PFS) and tested factors for significant association with longer PFS. Overall, 22.7% of our cohort experienced progression at a median follow up of 1.8 years. The three- and five-year estimates of PFS were 72.5% and 54.4%, respectively. This is the first study to characterize outcomes in patients with IDH1/2 mutant glioma after LITT. Our results suggest that LITT is an effective treatment option for IDH1/2 mutant glioma.