Identifying functional impairment and rehabilitation needs in patients newly diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer: a structured literature review

Purpose Patients newly diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer experience a symptom distress burden that may impact upon functional performance in daily activities. This structured review examines empirical evidence to see how functional limitation and rehabilitation needs are represented in the supportive care literature in this population. Early access to rehabilitation services may ameliorate the impact, but evidence of need following diagnosis is required. Method Electronic databases Medline, Web-of-Science, Cinahl, AMED and PsychINFO were searched in April 2014. Hawker's criteria were used to assess methodological quality. The World Health Organization International Classification for Functioning Disability and Health (WHO-ICF) guided framework analysis and narrative synthesis. Results Thirty-two articles selected for further analysis included heterogeneous studies exploring the following conceptually diverse dimensions: quality of life, symptoms, functional performance and unmet supportive care needs at diagnosis and first treatment phase. Studies, mostly utilising patient self-report measures, reveal functional impairments, limitations and restrictions influenced by personal and environmental factors across all WHO-ICF domains. Two studies included objective evaluations of function. Six studies explored functional performance as a primary aim. Five studies suggested specific or general rehabilitation interventions to address identified needs. Conclusions Needs associated with a diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer impact on daily life in the peri and early post-diagnostic period across all WHO-ICF domains. Specific functional impairments, limitations and restrictions and the potential role of rehabilitation services are rarely explored objectively or discussed in the supportive care literature for this population. Research is needed to guide the development of effective rehabilitation interventions acceptable to patients, health care commissioners and providers that address the impact of a new lung cancer diagnosis on functional performance.