Symptom Burden and Functional Gains in a Cancer Rehabilitation Unit.

Background/aimsTo determine if there is a relationship between patient symptoms and functional improvement on inpatient rehabilitation.MethodsRetrospective review of medical records at an American tertiary referral-based cancer center of all patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit between 3/1/2013-5/20/2013. Main outcome measures included the Edmonton Symptom and Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM).FindingsThe medical records for 71 unique cancer rehabilitation inpatients were analyzed. Statistical analysis of total admission ESAS on total FIM change found no significant relationships. The symptom burden of the patients was mild. Patients demonstrated statistically significant improvements in function and symptoms during inpatient rehabilitation. The mean change in total FIM and total ESAS were an increase of 19.20 and decrease of 7.41 respectively. Statistically significant changes occurred in fatigue, sleep, pain, and anxiety.ConclusionBoth symptom and functional scores improved significantly during inpatient rehabilitation. However, no significant relationships were found between symptoms at admission and improvement in FIM.