Internationale Zeitschrift für Neurorehabilitation

Activities of Daily Living of Patients with Malignant Brain Tumors Assessed By Using Functional Independence Measurement Scoring System

Abstract

Hiroshi Kanno, Jo Sasame, Shigeta Miyake, Satoshi Nakanowatari, Atsuki Numata, Nobuyo Nagatsuka, Naomi Fukushige, Taeko Ito and Yoshimitsu Inoue

Patients with malignant brain tumors have varied degree of neurological impairments because of factors influencing activities of daily living (ADL). Those factors are related to characteristics of patients, tumor natures, and received treatment. However, factors influencing ADL of patients with malignant brain tumors are not fully elucidated. The functional independence measurement (FIM) is an ADL scoring system to determine impairment in different domains objectively. Here, we assessed ADL of 27 patients with malignant brain tumors at admission, discharge, 1 year and 2 years later using FIM scoring system, and identified factors influencing their ADL. In results, patient age and tumor pathology were identified as factors influencing ADL, while tumor site and operation type were not related to FIM scores. In conclusion, patient age and tumor pathology are identified as factors influencing ADL of patients with malignant brain tumors. Taking into account of those factors, neuro-rehabilitation program for patients with malignant brain tumors should be scheduled.