Utilization of OT Services for Patients With Cancer in an Acute Care Setting & Effects on Functional Mobility

Adults with cancer diagnoses are at risk for functional decline; this decline can lead to poor tolerance for cancer treatments as well as increased hospitalizations and therefore increased costs in health care (Pergolotti et al., 2014). Functional capacity limitations have also been associated with decreased quality of life outcomes (Dolgoy et al., 2021) and currently no studies have analyzed the impact of occupational therapy services on functional mobility status during a hospitalization for patients with general cancer diagnoses. In a retrospective secondary data analysis of patient records from a Virginia National Cancer Institute over 5 years, the current study investigated occupational therapy services for patients with cancer during their hospital stay and a patient’s functional mobility independence as measured by the Basic Mobility AM-PAC. Additionally, it was investigated if there was a relationship between an AM-PAC change score (from evaluation to discharge score) related to the number of OT service units provided. Relationships were investigated using paired t-tests and linear regression, and multiple factors such as a patient’s pain levels, cancer stage and type, age, and insurance payor were considered. It was found that for patients who received OT services, those patients had a statistically significant increase in their AM-PAC Basic Mobility scores. Additionally, there was an increase in functional independence on the AM-PAC Basic Mobility related to an increase in the number of occupational therapy services provided which did not reach statistical significance. This study sought to understand the potential benefits for OT services regarding functional mobility independence in addition to its relation to units of services provided. The results of the study are intended to contribute to the body of knowledge on the benefits of occupational therapy services on a person-based level for patients with cancer diagnoses during their hospital stay.

References

Pergolotti, M., Cutchin, M.P., Weinberger, M., & Meyer, A.M. (2014). Occupational therapy use by older adults with cancer. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(5), 597–607. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.011791

Dolgoy, N., Driga, A., & Brose, J. M. (2021). The essential role of occupational therapy to address functional needs of individuals living with advanced chronic cancers. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 37(4), 151172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2021.151172