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Rehabilitation of the Cancer Patient: Experience in a Neurological Unit

Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Alexandra House, London, United Kingdom

Chris Farnham

Camden Palliative Care Team, Palliative Care Centre, London, United Kingdom

Alan J. Thompson

Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom

E. Diane Playford

Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom

We performed a retrospective review of all patients admitted to a neurological rehabilitation unit over a 5-year period to identify the benefits and problems associated with inpatient rehabilitation of patients with a life-limiting illness. Twenty-one patients (14 men; mean age 54 years) with primary or nonprimary neurological malignancy resulting in disability were studied. For each patient the following data was extracted: gender, age, diagnosis, source of referral, mechanism of disability, prognosis at time of referral, length of inpatient stay, disability on admission and discharge, and the place of discharge. All patients made functional gains, and all but 2 were discharged home. One patient died and 4 required readmission to an acute unit because of worsening discomfort or debility within a month of discharge. Patients with life-limiting illness resulting in neurological disability can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation. Optimal management of such patients demands careful liaison with palliative care teams.

Key Words: Neurological rehabilitation • Cancer • Outcomes

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 18, No. 2, 76-79 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0888439004266306


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