How can activity monitors be used in palliative care patients?

Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2019 22(7) p.830-832

To, Timothy H.M; Currow, David C; Swetenham, et al

Objective measurement of physical activity in palliative care patients is challenging. In this article, the authors highlight their experiences of activity monitoring in palliative care patients as part of a telehealth trial. They highlight the strengths and limitations of activity monitoring in this patient group and potential applications. They conclude that although the advent of consumer technology for activity measurement makes their use seem attractive in palliative clinical settings, there are a number of issues that must be considered, in particular the reason for the activity monitoring and associated limitations in the technology.

Physiotherapy programme reduces fatigue in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care: randomized controlled trial

Supportive Care in Cancer; Sep 2017; 25(9) 2899-2908

Pyszora, Anna; Budzyński, Jacek; Wójcik, Agnieszka; Prokop, Anna; Krajnik, Małgorzata; Budzyński, Jacek; Wójcik, Agnieszka; Krajnik, Małgorzata

This trial involved 60 patients. The physiotherapy programme included active exercises, myofascial release and PNF techniques and was found to have beneficial effects on cancer related fatigue and other symptoms in patients with advanced cancer who received palliative care. The authors conclude that the results  suggest physiotherapy is a safe and effective method of CRF management.

'I am actually doing something to keep well. That feels really good': Experiences of exercise within hospice care

Progress in Palliative Care; Jul 2016; vol. 24(4) 204-212

Turner K.; Tookman A.; Bristowe K.; Maddocks M.

This qualitative study explored patients' experiences of an exercise programme within a palliative care setting, with the interviews focusing on the perceived impact on all aspects of quality of life. Patients reported an awareness of the positive physical, psychological, and social consequences of exercising. Their experiences reflected on all dimensions of quality of life, the impact of others and the sense of meaning gained through participation in exercise. 

Full text available in Progress in Palliative Care

Available in print in Arthur Rank Hospice Library, Brookfields Hospital

Exercise for the management of cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer: a systematic review.

European Journal of Cancer Care, January 2015, vol./is. 24/1(4-14)

Paramanandam VS, Dunn V

The role of exercise in lung cancer is not clear.   This review found that exercise is beneficial and safe in lung cancer-related fatigue but the studies are small and, without any control group, lack clinically significant effect. Thus, exercises could be used in the management of cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer, in view of the available evidence in other cancer cohorts, with due caution.

Available in the Arthur Rank House Library, Brookfields Hospital

Rehabilitation

Progress in Palliative Care, 01 December 2014, vol./is. 22/6

This a special issue of the journal, focusing on rehabilitation in palliative care and includes the following articles:

• Researching the rehabilitation needs of patients with life-limiting disease: challenges and opportunities
• An evaluation of the St Christopher's Hospice rehabilitation gym circuits classes: patient uptake, outcomes, and feedback
• Goal setting in palliative care: a structured review
• An analysis of the implementation of palliative rehabilitation in five UK hospices using the Stakeholder Salience Model
• A service evaluation of a specialist community palliative care occupational therapy service
• A physical exercise programme for palliative care patients in a clinical setting: observations and preliminary findings

Available in print in the Arthur Rank House Library, Brookfields Hospital

Physical exercise and therapy in terminally ill cancer patients: a retrospective feasibility analysis.

Supportive Care in Cancer, May 2014, vol./is. 22/5(1261-8)

Jensen W, Bialy L, Ketels G, Baumann FT, Bokemeyer C, Oechsle K

From this study it was concluded that PE/PT were feasible in >90 % of terminally ill cancer patients to whom PE/PT had been offered. Physical exercises, relaxation therapy, and breathing training were the most frequently applicable methods. Prospective trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of specific PE/PT programs in terminally ill cancer patients.

A multimodal physiotherapy programme plus deep water running for improving cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer survivors

European Journal of Cancer Care, January 2014, vol./is. 23/1(15-21)

Cuesta-Vargas AI, Buchan J, Arroyo-Morales M

A controlled clinical trial was conducted in 42 primary breast cancer survivors recruited from community-based Primary Care Centres.   The results suggest that a multimodal physiotherapy programme incorporating  deep water running decreases cancer-related fatigue and improves general health and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Further, the high level of adherence and lack of adverse events indicate such a programme is safe and feasible.

Fulltext available in European_Journal_of_Cancer_Care (you may need to log-in with your Athens account details)
Available in print at Arthur Rank House, Brookfields Hospital