Rehabilitation in primary and metastatic brain tumours - Impact of functional outcomes on survival

Objectives Patients with brain tumours have major disabilities and guarded prognosis but may benefit from inpatient rehabilitation. The objectives were to compare functional outcomes in patients with glioblastoma multi-forme (GBM), brain metastases and other brain tumours, and to determine predictors of survival. Methods Demographic, clinical, functional, and survival data were collected for 63 patients. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used for survival analyses. Results Functional Independence Measure (FIMTM) scores improved from admission to discharge for patients with GBM, brain metastases and other tumours. Estimated median survival was 141 days for brain metastases, 214 days for GBM and 439 days for other tumours. Low admission dexamethasone dose and high FIMTM gain predicted better survival in GBM. For brain metastases, high FIMTM gain, low dexamethasone dose and no organ metastases were positive prognostic factors. Conclusions Patients with primary and metastatic brain tumours achieved functional gains after rehabilitation. High functional improvement is a significant predictor of longer survival in brain metastases and GBM. This study has implications for rehabilitation in the post-acute management of patients who have disabilities due to brain tumours.