Therapy%20services%20for%20Spinal%20Cord%20Compression%20(SCC)%20Caroline%20Belchamber%202004

1
Therapy services for Spinal Cord Compression
(SCC)Caroline Belchamber 2004
2
Facts

• Oncology Physiotherapist 18 hours funded by the
  Physiotherapy department
• No dedicated rehabilitation Occupational
  therapist

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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

4
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

5
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

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Observations

• Southampton Hospital
• Velindre NHS Trust
• Rehabilitation
• Wheelchairs
• Gym
• Funding

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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
  patients with scc healthcare professionals
  contend that intensive rehabilitation is
  important to maximise the patients functional
  abilities and QOL (Yoshioka 1994)

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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.

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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, ODell 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