Neurorehabilitation in Neuro-Oncology

Abstract

Due to both the improved survival and the greater interest in enhancing the quality of patient’s residual life, rehabilitation has gained a growing role in the management of brain tumour (BT) patients in the last decades. BT patients can experience a wide range of symptoms and functional limitations, such as reduced mobility, cognitive and psychological problems, difficulties with self-care, relationship and work issues. As for other diseases/impairments, also disabilities caused by BT can be expressed within the conceptual framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to describe health and the multidimensional health-related concerns of persons. Ultimately, all these symptoms and functional limitations can result in reduced ability in daily life activities and in performing (or maintaining) usual family and social roles, with a substantial impact on quality of life. Neuro-oncological rehabilitation refers to the process of assisting a person who has become disabled as a result of tumour (or therapies) to improve symptoms, and maximize functional independence, activity and participation, within the limits of the persisting impairment. Literature evidence suggests that despite rehabilitation in BT patients is not well established as it is for patients with other neurological conditions, symptoms and disabilities may be addressed through a “multidisciplinary rehabilitation” delivered in all the stages of the disease, by a team of different healthcare professionals working in an organized manner.