A 12-week interdisciplinary rehabilitation trial in patients with gliomas - a feasibility study

Purpose: This report aims to assess the safety and feasibility of using an interdisciplinary rehabilitation intervention for a future randomized controlled trial in patients with gliomas in the initial treatment phase. Method: We conducted an outpatient two-part rehabilitation intervention that involved six weeks of therapeutic supervised training (part one) and six weeks of unsupervised training in a local gym following a training protocol (part two). Results: Predefined feasibility objectives of safety (100%), consent rate (> 80%), drop-out (< 20%), adherence (> 80%) and patient satisfaction (> 80%) was achieved at part one. However, the failure to meet predefined feasibility objectives of drop-out, adherence and patient satisfaction of the unsupervised intervention at part two have led to a protocol revision for a future randomized controlled trial. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that an intensive rehabilitation intervention of physical therapy and occupational therapy in the initial treatment phase of patients with gliomas whose Karnofsky performance status is >= 70 is safe and feasible, if relevant inclusion criteria and precautionary screening are made. With the revised protocol, we are confident that the foundation for conducting a successful randomized controlled trial among these vulnerable patients has been established.