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Article

A Prospective Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Nutrition–Rehabilitation Program for Patients with Advanced Cancer

1
Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Centre de recherché du Le Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Quebec City, QC, Canada
2
Division of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University Health Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
3
Ingram School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
4
School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
5
Cancer Rehabilitation Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
6
Smoking Cessation Program, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal Chest Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
7
Psychosocial Oncology Program, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
8
Division of Palliative Care, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
9
Palliative Rehabilitation Program, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
10
Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Curr. Oncol. 2013, 20(6), 310-318; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.20.1612
Submission received: 10 September 2013 / Revised: 12 October 2013 / Accepted: 15 November 2013 / Published: 1 December 2013

Abstract

Background: Cancer can affect many dimensions of a patient’s life, and in turn, it should be targeted using a multimodal approach. We tested the extent to which an interdisciplinary nutrition–rehabilitation program can improve the well-being of patients with advanced cancer. Methods: Between January 10, 2007, and September 29, 2010, 188 patients with advanced cancer enrolled in the 10–12-week program. Body weight, physical function, symptom severity, fatigue dimensions, distress level, coping ability, and overall quality of life were assessed at the start and end of the program. Results: Of the enrolled patients, 70% completed the program. Patients experienced strong improvements in the physical and activity dimensions of fatigue (effect sizes: 0.8–1.1). They also experienced moderate reductions in the severity of weakness, depression, nervousness, shortness of breath, and distress (effect sizes: 0.5–0.7), and moderate improvements in Six Minute Walk Test distance, maximal gait speed, coping ability, and quality of life (effect sizes: 0.5–0.7) Furthermore, 77% of patients either maintained or increased their body weight. Conclusions: Interdisciplinary nutrition–rehabilitation can be advantageous for patients with advanced cancer and should be considered an integrated part of standard palliative care.
Keywords: neoplasms; rehabilitation; patient care team; symptom assessment; palliative care; quality of life neoplasms; rehabilitation; patient care team; symptom assessment; palliative care; quality of life

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MDPI and ACS Style

Gagnon, B.; Murphy, J.; Eades, M.; Lemoignan, J.; Jelowicki, M.; Carney, S.; Amdouni, S.; Di Dio, P.; Chasen, M.; MacDonald, N. A Prospective Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Nutrition–Rehabilitation Program for Patients with Advanced Cancer. Curr. Oncol. 2013, 20, 310-318. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.20.1612

AMA Style

Gagnon B, Murphy J, Eades M, Lemoignan J, Jelowicki M, Carney S, Amdouni S, Di Dio P, Chasen M, MacDonald N. A Prospective Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Nutrition–Rehabilitation Program for Patients with Advanced Cancer. Current Oncology. 2013; 20(6):310-318. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.20.1612

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gagnon, B., J. Murphy, M. Eades, J. Lemoignan, M. Jelowicki, S. Carney, S. Amdouni, P. Di Dio, M. Chasen, and N. MacDonald. 2013. "A Prospective Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Nutrition–Rehabilitation Program for Patients with Advanced Cancer" Current Oncology 20, no. 6: 310-318. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.20.1612

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