File
Mahmoud A.1, Al-Eid T.1
1Kuwait Cancer Control Center, Physical Therapy Department, Kuwait, Kuwait
Background: A 41 year-old female diagnosed with chest wall soft tissue sarcoma and right hip mass was referred to physical therapy department for general mobilization. Patient complained of fatigue, generalized body pain, and decreased endurance and functional mobility.
Purpose: To examine the effect of physical therapy program in reducing chemotherapy side effects in patients with cancer.
Methods: A customized exercise program was prescribed which included: 10 minutes of walking on treadmill, ergometer for upper limb and lower limb 10 minutes each, stair climbing, resistance exercises and gait training. The session lasted for 45 minutes to 1 hour with rest in between. It was given twice per week for 6 months which was the whole chemotherapy duration. Fatigue Severity Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, Sit to stand in 30 seconds and Functional Independence Measure were used to measure fatigue, generalized body pain, endurance and functional mobility respectively.
Results: Measurements taken at baseline, 3 months and 6 months of treatment were as follow: for fatigue 60/63, 40/63, and 21/63; for generalized body pain 7/10, 5/10, and 2/10; for endurance 3, 10, and 18 times; for functional mobility Maximal assistance, Minimal assistance, and Modified independence.
Conclusion(s): This was the first patient with chest wall soft tissue sarcoma and right hip mass that was referred to the physical therapy department as an outpatient. There were significant improvements in patients fatigue, pain level, endurance, and functional mobility. Results showed that a well-designed exercise program can have positive effects on reducing side effects of chemotherapy. Patients with soft tissue sarcoma and receiving chemotherapy at Kuwait Cancer Control Center can be referred to the physical therapy department for evaluation. Eligible patients can benefit from exercise programs that help in reducing side effects of chemotherapy.
Implications: Physicians at Kuwait Cancer Control Center will be encouraged to include physical therapy as part of the treatment protocol for cancer patients taking chemotherapy.
Funding acknowledgements: This work was not funded
Topic: Oncology, HIV & palliative care
Ethics approval: The consent of the patient was obtained.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
