Trajectory of ADL (Activities of Daily Living) for Six Weeks before Death in Patients with Terminal Cancer
- VernacularTitle:終末期がん患者の死亡前6週間の日常生活動作の経時的変化
- Author:
Ryo SOEDA
1
;
Mana MITSUHASHI
2
;
Suzune OKANO
1
;
Aiko YOKOSAWA
1
;
Teruo OKUTSU
1
;
Tetsuya TSUJI
3
Author Information
- Keywords: terminal-stage cancer; activities of daily living (ADL); palliative care
- From:Palliative Care Research 2020;15(3):167-174
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: Objective: To examine the trajectory of activities of daily living (ADL) in cancer patients from 6 weeks before death using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Method: This study was a retrospective observational study. The participants were cancer patients aged 18 years or older who died and were discharged from the palliative care unit in Tsurumaki-onsen Hospital. Six weeks of FIM data were collected from the patients’ medical records from 6 weeks before death to the time immediately before death (week 0). Results: Fifty-five participants were included in the study. FIM scores declined from 55 points at 6 weeks before death to 25 points immediately before death. Functional independence was higher for cognitive items on the FIM than for motor items, and both cognitive and motor functioning significantly declined just before death. Within the motor subscale, the patients were more independent with regard to eating, grooming, and bladder management compared to other activities until just before death. Within the cognitive subscale, the patients showed greater independence with regard to expression and social interaction. Discussion: A support for ADL needs to be considered to assist out-of bed activities in a safe and comfort manner until two weeks before death. Patients’ activities on the bed can also be continued for independence until just before death.
