A randomized controlled trial of outpatient CAncer REhabilitation for older adults: The CARE Program

Abstract

BackgroundLarge numbers of older adults (aged 65years or older) are surviving cancer; however, many survivors report decreased quality of life (QOL) and limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) both during and after treatment [1–3]. Occupational and physical therapy (OT/PT) are services focused on improving functional status and QOL that are largely unexplored and underutilized in cancer survivorship care [4,5]. Methods/DesignThis is a randomized, single-blind, two-arm, single institution pilot study. Eighty-two patients will be recruited from a university-affiliated outpatient oncology clinic. Inclusion criteria include the following: aged 65years or older, diagnosis of cancer within 5years, English speaking, has at least one functional deficit, and able to safely participate in an outpatient rehabilitation program. Exclusion criteria are: currently receiving rehabilitation or eligible for hospice. Consented patients will be randomized into two groups: (1) the CARE (CAncer REhabilitation) Program consisting of outpatient OT/PT and (2) standard of care. Primary outcome: change in Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL) scores from baseline to 3months between CARE and control. DiscussionThis study is one of the first RCTs aimed at examining the effect of OT/PT in older adults with cancer. If positive, findings from this study will suggest the potential for outpatient OT/PT to improve the functional ability and QOL of older adults with cancer.