scholarly journals Feasibility, Safety and Effects of a One-Week, Ski-Based Exercise Intervention in Brain Tumor Patients and Their Relatives: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1006
Author(s):  
Fabian M. Troschel ◽  
Christian Ramroth ◽  
Lars Lemcke ◽  
Jens Clasing ◽  
Amelie S. Troschel ◽  
...  

A brain tumor diagnosis poses a significant psychological burden and it severely impacts quality of life (QOL), both in patients and relatives. However, comprehensive strategies addressing QOL in this setting remain rare. Here, we aim to share our findings of a one-week ski exercise intervention, with emphasis on feasibility, safety, QOL, and physical exercise. The intervention consisted of week-long daily ski sessions with professional ski guides as well as dedicated physicians present. The participants were handed questionnaires, including distress and QOL items before, during, and after the intervention. Using fitness watches, exercise intensity was also tracked at these timepoints. During the intervention, patients were checked for adverse events daily. Fifteen participants, nine patients after multidisciplinary treatment, and six relatives were included in the study. Additionally, 13 children participated in the exercise, but not in the study. All of the participants completed the entire program. No severe adverse events were documented during daily checks. There was a strong increase in quantified activity and QOL with a corresponding decrease in distress during the intervention, and, partly, afterwards. This prospective brain tumor rehabilitation study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of challenging ski exercise in brain tumor patients. The findings also underline the exercise-mediated QOL benefits, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive brain tumor rehabilitation programs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-742
Author(s):  
Maria L. Boccia ◽  
Elizabeth I. Anyanda ◽  
Ekokobe Fonkem

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Walbert

Abstract Background Between 80%–85 percent of all adult brain tumors are high-grade gliomas (HGGs). Despite aggressive treatment with surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the survival of patients with HGG is limited. Brain tumor patients develop unique symptoms and needs throughout their disease trajectory, and the majority lose the ability to communicate during the end-of-life phase. Palliative care (PC) is a proactive and systematic approach to manage issues that are important to patients and families affected by serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life and symptom control and thereby reduce suffering. Most PC interventions take place during the end-of-life phase; however, newer data suggest that early PC interventions might improve symptom control and quality of life. Methods A literature review focusing on PC, hospice care, and end-of-life care was performed with the aim to describe the integration of PC into neuro-oncology practice. Results Recently there has been increased interest in the effects of PC and brain tumor patients. The origins, methodology, and conceptual models of delivering PC and how it might be applied to the field of neuro-oncology were reviewed. Patterns of referral and utilization in neuro-oncology are described based on the findings of a recent survey. Conclusions Despite a very high symptom burden, many HGG patients do not receive the same level of PC and have fewer interactions with PC services than other cancer populations. Early PC interventions and structured advance-care planning might improve symptom control and quality of life for brain tumor patients.


2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (suppl 5) ◽  
pp. v179-v179
Author(s):  
A. Bunevicius ◽  
S. Tamasauskas ◽  
V. P. Deltuva ◽  
A. Tamasauskas ◽  
R. Bunevicius

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arja Mainio ◽  
Helinä Hakko ◽  
Asko Niemelä ◽  
John Koivukangas ◽  
Pirkko Räsänen

AbstractObjective. –We studied the relationship between depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) as well as functional status in primary brain tumor patients at recurrent measurements. Differences in QOL between depressive and non-depressive samples by gender were controlled for tumor characteristics and patients' psychosocial factors.Materials and methods. –The data consisted of 77 patients with a primary brain tumor, 30 males and 47 females. Depression of the patients was assessed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Crown-Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI), functional status by Karnofsky Performance scale (KPS) and QOL by Sintonen's 15D before tumor operation as well as at 3 months and at 1 year from surgical operation of the tumor.Results.The level of QOL in females was lower compared to that of males. Depression was the main predictor for worse QOL in the patients at all measurements. Depressive patients with a benign brain tumor had significantly worse QOL versus non-depressive ones.Discussion and conclusion. –Decreased QOL was strongly related to depression, especially among patients with a benign brain tumor. Further studies are needed to find whether sufficient depression therapy improves the QOL of patients.


1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
AnnaRita Giovagnoli ◽  
Marcello Tamburini ◽  
Amerigo Boiardi

2016 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adomas Bunevicius ◽  
Edward R. Laws ◽  
Vytenis Deltuva ◽  
Arimantas Tamasauskas

2013 ◽  
Vol 333 ◽  
pp. e674-e675
Author(s):  
A. Petruzzi ◽  
C.Y. Finocchiaro ◽  
A. Silvani ◽  
L. Rainoldi ◽  
P. Gaviani ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 156 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adomas Bunevicius ◽  
Sarunas Tamasauskas ◽  
Vytenis Deltuva ◽  
Arimantas Tamasauskas ◽  
Andrius Radziunas ◽  
...  

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