Rehabilitation of Individuals with Cancer
Summary of Key Points
• As cancer treatment improves, more patients are living longer with functional limitations, and quality of life issues become as important as survival.
• Rehabilitation must be patient centered and goal oriented. It requires an interdisciplinary team and the active participation of the patient.
• Impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions from cancer dramatically impact quality of life but are amenable to rehabilitation efforts.
• The focus of rehabilitation varies with the phase of the disease process.
• Important impairments include pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, mood disorders, paresis, feeding difficulties, bone and soft tissue involvement, and bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction.
• Activity limitations can be ameliorated with training in activities of daily living, exercise, and adaptive equipment.
• Participation in home, vocational, and recreational activities plays a critical role in quality of life. Economic burdens, environmental barriers, and transportation problems often need to be addressed.
1. Which is TRUE about the International Classification of Function?
A Impairment refers to the signs and symptoms exhibited by the patient.
B Activity limitations are easily predicted by the patient’s diagnosis.
C Participation refers to the individual’s role in society.
