Abstract
IntroductionWe tracked and analyzed the changes in the quality of life (QOL) of a stage 4 lung cancer patient receiving occupational therapy at home.Case descriptionIn a longitudinal study consisting of 4 evaluations over 9 months, a 66-year-old female with lung cancer was assessed using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale and the 100-Point Satisfaction Scale. The QOL scores over time and factors influencing changes in these scores were analyzed.Discussion and evaluationA histogram of QOL scores demonstrated a rapid increase followed by a mild decrease and then stable level. Interviews revealed the patient’s response to knowing her life expectancy, meeting a qualified occupational therapist, increasing her leisure activity, changing her family relationships and facing the prospect of death. We also confirmed that occupational therapy, such as writing letters or keeping a diary, reminded her of her late parents, hometown and childhood and helped her accept death.ConclusionsFor a terminal lung cancer patient, meeting an occupational therapist to discuss fear or self-loathing improved QOL. Further, an active lifestyle played an important role in helping the patient accept death and lead a peaceful and stable life.
Highlights
We tracked and analyzed the changes in the quality of life (QOL) of a stage 4 lung cancer patient receiving occupational therapy at home.Case description: In a longitudinal study consisting of 4 evaluations over 9 months, a 66-year-old female with lung cancer was assessed using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale and the 100-Point Satisfaction Scale
We conducted a follow-up survey of the changes in quality of life (QOL) scores for an occupational therapy patient with stage 4 lung cancer and analyzed the causes of these changes by conducting interviews and analyzing QOL scores
Occupational therapy and other treatments at cancer centers in Japan have attempted to improve the QOL of cancer patients (Nishikori et al 2011), the following questions remain unanswered: ‘What kind of QOL do terminal patients desire when staying at home?’ and ‘What does it mean to “be happy”?’ In Japan, an estimated 900,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in 2015 (Takako & Tukuma 1999)
Summary
We tracked and analyzed the changes in the quality of life (QOL) of a stage 4 lung cancer patient receiving occupational therapy at home.Case description: In a longitudinal study consisting of 4 evaluations over 9 months, a 66-year-old female with lung cancer was assessed using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale and the 100-Point Satisfaction Scale. Occupational therapy and other treatments at cancer centers in Japan have attempted to improve the QOL of cancer patients (Nishikori et al 2011), the following questions remain unanswered: ‘What kind of QOL do terminal patients desire when staying at home?’ and ‘What does it mean to “be happy”?’ In Japan, an estimated 900,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in 2015 (Takako & Tukuma 1999). These are important issues that deserve careful consideration
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