Improving quality of life through rehabilitation in palliative care: case report

Abstract

Objective: Occupational and physical therapists can have a significant impact on the quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients. In the critical care setting, rehabilitation is often overlooked. However, occupational and physical therapists work with critically-ill patients to create realistic and meaningful goals for improving comfort, mobility, socialization skills, and ability to care for oneself regardless of disease state and medical status. The following case report describes rehabilitation intervention with a young woman diagnosed with osteosarcoma and leukemia during the final stage of her life.

Method: This case report highlights the use of patient-centered goals and the importance of close collaboration between the patient, occupational therapist, and physical therapists to achieve a higher quality of life.

Results: A collaborative effort by the occupational and physical therapists yielded positive outcomes as defined by the patient, patient family, and the medical staff in the critical care setting.

Significance of results: Palliative care patients may benefit from occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) intervention. Rehabilitation specialists are skilled at working with patients to set realistic and meaningful functional goals. Further study on rehabilitation treatment to improve quality of life among patients in palliative care is needed.