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Ibrahim AM, Wahba NMI, Zaghamir DEF, Mersal NA, Mersal FA, Ali RAES, Eltaib FA, Mohamed HAH. Impact of a comprehensive rehabilitation palliative care program on the quality of life of patients with terminal cancer and their informal caregivers: a quasi-experimental study. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:357. [PMID: 38812027 PMCID: PMC11138029 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02028-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care schemes, which include pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support and rehabilitation, aim to boost patients' quality of life, ease the burden and anxiety of informal caregivers, and ultimately provide a comprehensive approach to enhance well-being during this challenging and sensitive period. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive rehabilitation palliative care program on the quality of life of patients with terminal cancer and their informal caregivers. METHODS This quasi-experimental study, conducted from August 2023 to January 2024 at outpatient clinics affiliated with the Oncology Center at Mansoura University, Egypt, focused on cancer patients and their caregivers in the palliative care department. Employing pre- and post-test phases, data were gathered using a questionnaire, EORTC QLQ C30, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Short Form Health Survey, Caregiver Burden Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The investigation evaluated a 16-week rehabilitation program comprising exercise, psychoeducation, individual counselling, and spiritual support. Exercises, led by a physiotherapist, targeted fatigue and stress through tailored aerobic and resistance training. Psychoeducation sessions aimed to bolster coping abilities, covering fatigue management and nutrition. Trained counsellors addressed spiritual and existential concerns. Personal advisory sessions were available for individual support. Caregivers received education on rehabilitation and palliative care protocols, ensuring comprehensive patient care. RESULTS The mean age for cancer patients was 65.79 ± 13.85. In contrast, the mean age for primary carers was 42.05 ± 11.15. The QOL for cancer patients during the pre-test phase was 77.8 ± 7.16 and rose to 87.34 ± 14.56 during the post-test phase. Additionally, the total anxiety level of patients before the rehabilitation palliative care program was conducted was 15.45 ± 3.05 compared to 6.12 ± 3.21 after the post test phase. Furthermore, the total depression levels of the patients during the pre-test phase were 20.89 ± 9.21. However, after implementing the rehabilitation palliative care program, it decreased to 15.5 ± 6.86. In regards to the total quality of life of informal caregivers, it was measured at 67.28 ± 32.09 before conducting the program. Nevertheless, it increased to 25.95 ± 40.29 after conducting it. Additionally, the total Caregiver Burden Inventory before implementing the program was 37.45 ± 25.7, and it decreased to 29.36 ± 16.4 after conducting it. Additionally, the total score on the Beck Anxiety Inventory decreased from 45.7 ± 4.3 during the initial testing phase to 17.35 ± 23.67. CONCLUSION The program for rehabilitation palliative care successfully achieved its goals by enhancing the overall quality of life for cancer patients and their caregivers. Additionally, it reduced the anxiety and depression levels among the patients, as well as the anxiety and caregiver burden among the caregivers. Continue research into the effectiveness of rehabilitation palliative care programs to identify best practices, improve existing programs, and expand access to these services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ateya Megahed Ibrahim
- College of Nursing, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia.
- Family and Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of nursing, Port Said University, Port Said, 42526, Egypt.
| | - Nadia Mohamed Ibrahim Wahba
- College of Nursing, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health Department, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Port Said, 42526, Egypt
| | - Donia Elsaid Fathi Zaghamir
- College of Nursing, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Port Said, 42526, Egypt
| | - Nahed Ahmed Mersal
- Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fathia Ahmed Mersal
- Community Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rasmia Abd El-Sattar Ali
- Community Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatma Abdou Eltaib
- Medical Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heba Ali Hamed Mohamed
- Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura city, Dakahlia, Egypt
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Habib MH, Zheng J, Radwan A, Tolchin DW, Smith S, Inzana RS, Keeney T, Arora A, Beckley A, Choudhary S, Jones CA, Schlögl M. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:681-687. [PMID: 37831919 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This article provides guidance on the integral role of physical therapy, occupational therapy (OT), and speech language pathology (SLP) in palliative care (PC), underlining the necessity for effective communication between physicians and therapists, the importance of caregiver education and support, the application of holistic treatment modalities in OT, the underutilization of resources in PC settings, the role of SLP professionals in feeding and nutrition, and the challenges in communication during the advanced stages of illness. The article draws on various studies and expert opinions to elucidate these issues, offering a valuable resource to health care professionals in ensuring high-quality patient-centered PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Hamza Habib
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jasmine Zheng
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ahmed Radwan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Center for Ergonomic Analysis and Research (CEAR), Utica University, Utica, New York, USA
| | - Dorothy W Tolchin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sean Smith
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan Medicine: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rebecca S Inzana
- Department of Speech, Language, and Swallowing Disorders, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tamra Keeney
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arpit Arora
- Cedars-Sinai Cancer, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Akinpelumi Beckley
- Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shaloo Choudhary
- AMP Physical Therapy, Zenith Rehabilitation Services, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Christopher A Jones
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mathias Schlögl
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Clinic Barmelweid, Barmelweid, Switzerland
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