Assessment of rehabilitation practices during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the United States: a survey.

Publication Title

Rehabil Oncol

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2024

Keywords

washington; swedish; swedish cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation therapy is important to treat physical and functional impairments that may occur in individuals receiving physically taxing, yet potentially curative hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). However, there is scarce data on how rehabilitation is delivered during HSCT in real-life setting. Our objective is to assess the rehabilitation practices for adult patients hospitalized for HSCT in the United States.

METHODS: A 48-question online survey with cancer centers with the top 10% HSCT volumes (per American registries). We obtained data on patient characteristics, rehabilitation therapy details (timing, indication, administering providers), physical function objective and subjective outcome measures, and therapy activity precautions.

RESULTS: Fourteen (out of 21) institutions were included. Rehabilitation therapy referrals occurred at admission for all patients at 35.7% of the centers for: functional decline (92.9%), fall risk (71.4%), and discharge planning (71.4%). Participating institutions had physical therapists (92.9%), occupational therapists (85.7%), speech language pathologists (64.3%) and therapy aides (35.7%) in their rehabilitation team. Approximately 71% of centers used objective functional measures including sit-to-stand tests (50.0%), balance measures (42.9%), and six-minute walk/gait speed (both 35.7%). Monitoring of blood counts to determine therapy modalities frequently occurred and therapies held for low platelet or hemoglobin values; but absolute neutrophil values were not a barrier to participate in resistance or aerobic therapies (42.9%).

DISCUSSION: Rehabilitation practices during HSCT varied among the largest volume cancer centers in the United States, but most centers provided skilled therapy, utilized objective, clinician and patient reported outcomes, and monitored blood counts for safety of therapy administration.

Clinical Institute

Cancer

Specialty

Oncology

Specialty

Rehabilitation

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