Physical function in hospice patients and physiotherapy interventions: a profile of hospice physiotherapy

There is a dearth of international research on hospice physiotherapy. This study aims to profile hospice physiotherapy in an Irish setting in order to inform practice internationally.

The study design consisted of a retrospective chart audit over 6 months.

The study took place at a specialist palliative care inpatient unit (hospice) in Limerick, Ireland.

All patients were discharged (through death or discharge onwards) from January to June 2010.

The Edmonton Functional Assessment Tool (EFAT-2) was used as an outcome measure.

Sixty-five percent were referred for physiotherapy; 58% (n=144) were assessed and treated. A wide range of patients was referred (mean functional score 11, range 1-23, SD 5). Rehabilitation activities were widespread: 48% with more than one functional score recorded made improvements; 53% of physiotherapy patients were eventually discharged home; 47% of physiotherapy patients died, of whom 52% received physiotherapy in the last week of life. The median physiotherapy program lasted 11 days (range 1-186, SD 22) whereas the median number of treatments was four (range 1-99, SD 10). The most common interventions were gait re-education (67%), transfer training (58%), and exercises (53%). One third of treatment attempts were unsuccessful because of the unavailability/unsuitability of patients. Challenges for physiotherapists included frequent suspension of treatment and large functional fluctuations in patients.

There was a high referral rate to physiotherapy in this hospice. Functional changes in hospice patients were mapped, showing that physiotherapy involved both rehabilitative and quality of life/supportive measures. The most common treatments were physical activity interventions.