Predictors of functional outcomes in adults with brain tumor undergoing rehabilitation treatment: a systematic review.
Anna Pieczyńska, Agnieszka Pilarska, Katarzyna Hojan
PMID 35801976WHAT IT FOUND
Rehabilitation improves physical function and daily living in adults with brain tumors.
Outcomes are comparable to those seen in stroke and traumatic brain injury. There are no standardized guidelines for assessment or timing, so treatment must be tailored to each patient's functional status.
Key findings
01Rehabilitation improves physical fitness and activities of daily living in brain tumor patients, with outcomes comparable to stroke and traumatic brain injury groups.
02There are no clear guidelines for rehabilitation timing or functional assessment in brain tumor patients, and measurement instruments are not standardized.
03The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was the most frequently used assessment tool across the included studies.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review did not analyze predictors of rehabilitation success based on specific types of oncological treatment (e.g., separating radiotherapy from chemotherapy effects). Most included studies had small sample sizes. There was significant heterogeneity in rehabilitation protocols, durations, and assessment tools, making direct comparison difficult. The review did not include pediatric patients or psychological factors that may affect physical function.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that rehabilitation protocols for stroke or traumatic brain injury can be directly applied to brain tumor patients without modification. The review notes that time limits for intervention are shorter in brain tumor patients due to higher mortality and side effects of oncological treatment, and there are no clear guidelines for this specific population.