Objective: This study describes characteristics and trends of inpatient rehabilitation among cancer patients within the United States over a 13-yr period.
Design: This was a retrospective study of data from the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation from 2002 to 2014. Patients older than 17 yrs admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities with a diagnosis of malignant cancer were included. Trends of rehabilitation outcomes including length of stay, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Instrument scores, and discharge location were examined.
Results: Data from 115,570 cancer patients were evaluated. Mean age was 66 ± 14 yrs and 49% were women. Mean length of stay decreased over time (2002: 14 days to 2014: 13 days; P < 0.0005). Patient's admission total FIM scores decreased over time (2002: 68 ± 18 to 2014: 61 ± 16; P < 0.0005). The FIM change score increased over time (2002: 19 ± 16 to 2014: 25 ± 17; P < 0.0005). The greatest significant functional gains occurred in self care and transfers. Most patients (>70%) were discharged to the community.
Conclusions: Cancer patients receiving acute inpatient rehabilitation demonstrated significant improvements in functional outcomes from admission to discharge. Cancer patients became more independent in important activities of daily living, thereby potentially reducing caregiver burden and ensuring safer discharges back to the community. This study suggests potential benefit of inpatient rehabilitation for appropriate cancer patients.