Date of Award
5-2024
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Department
Physical Therapy
First Advisor
Cindy Flom-Meland
Keywords
Cancer, Exercise, Physical Therapy, Gait, Balance, Fatigue, Depression, Stress, Quality of life
Abstract
Approximately 18.1 million people living in the United States have survived cancer. The treatment for cancer can be accompanied by many long-lasting residual side effects including fatigue, decreased quality of life, balance deficits, and depression. A current problem that healthcare providers face is understanding these side effects and how to effectively treat the people who experience them.
The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate how cancer treatments affect the human body, specifically with fatigue, balance, quality of life, and depression, and how physical therapy interventions can be used to combat these factors. To assess the effects of physical therapy interventions and document changes in the participants’ performance, the 6-Minute Walk Test, grip strength, Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale, Semmes Weinstein Filaments Testing, proprioceptive testing, Dynamic Gait Index, and Mini-BESTest were administered, as well as self-reported items including the FACT-G, FACIT-Fatigue Scale, and DASS-21. The participants were initially assessed using all of the functional tests to configure baseline scores and were given a personalized home exercise program created by the physical therapy students to be completed five times per week throughout the duration of the study. The participants were reassessed at week 4 and completed a final assessment at week 7. Three participants were selected for the pilot study, with 2 participants completing all assessments in their entirety.
The results of the study showed that performing an individualized exercise plan post-cancer treatment may facilitate an increase in endurance, balance, or quality of life alongside decreasing fatigue. However, the findings were highly variable and from a small sample size that imposed their own limitations.
Recommended Citation
Bryant, Elle G.; Bugge, Morghan j.; Grube, Riley A.; LaCrosse, Megan M.; Lake, Hunter M.; and Leary, Katie J., "The Effect of Physical Therapy Intervention on Fatigue, Balance, Depression and Quality of Life in Clients Following Medical Treatment for Cancer: A Pilot Study" (2024). Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects. 800.
https://commons.und.edu/pt-grad/800