Therapy services for
Spinal Cord
Compression (SCC)
Caroline Belchamber 2004
Facts
Oncology Physiotherapist 18 hours
funded by the Physiotherapy
department
No dedicated rehabilitation
Occupational therapist
The role of the therapist
To prevent chest infections
To maintain optimum function and ability
within disease limitations
To maintain mobility and prevent contractures
through exercise
To advise carers on posture, safe handling
and moving
Holistic approach to lifestyle management
Realistic goal setting to meet
functional expectations
Wheelchair mobility
Ambulation
Self-care
Transfer abilities
Learning to live with advanced cancer
Learning to live with a disability
Therapeutic treatment
Increases muscle strength
Improves balance, posture and co-ordination
Improves comfort through the reduction of
pain and stiffness
Improves ventilation through positioning
Provides psychological support
Provides education and support to carers and
staff
Observations
Southampton Hospital
Velindre NHS Trust
Rehabilitation
Wheelchairs
Gym
Funding
Literature review
The need for rehabilitation to be an integral part of
palliative care is widely recognised in the literature
(Cheville 2001, Hopkins 2000, NCHSPCS 2000)
Kirshblum et al (2001) advocate that patients should
participate in a structured programme of rehabilitation
in a specialist in-patient rehabilitation facility where
they would act as proactive members of their
rehabilitation team.
In spite of a relatively poor prognosis for patient’s
with scc healthcare professionals contend that
intensive rehabilitation is important to maximise the
patient’s functional abilities and QOL (Yoshioka 1994)
Conclusion
The Therapy services aim to provide a
holistic approach through collaboration
with the multi-disciplinary team to
enable people with scc to set realistic
goals so allowing them to come to terms
with their advanced cancer and
disability.
References
Cheville A. Rehabilitation of patients with advanced
cancer. Cancer 2001; 92 (suppl 4): 1039-1048
Hopkins K F, Tookman A J. Rehabilitation and
specialist palliative care. Int J Palliat Nurs 2000; 6:
123-130
Kirshblum S, O’Dell MW, Ho C, Barr K. Rehabilitation
of persons with central nervous system tumours.
Cancer 2001; 92 (suppl 4): 1029-1038
National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative
Care Services. Fulfilling lives: rehabilitation in
palliative care. London: NCHSPCS, 2000.
Yoshioka H. rehabilitation for the terminal cancer
patient. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 1994; 73: 199-206