Assessing mobility in primary brain tumor patients: A descriptive feasibility study using two established mobility...

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Clinical mobility assessment
• Patient-reported outcomes

Background:

• Primary brain tumors (PBT) significantly impact patient mobility.
• Objective mobility assessment is crucial for PBT patient care.
• Established mobility tests may offer utility in neuro-oncology settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the preliminary utility and feasibility of the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) and Five-Times Sit-to-Stand (TSS) tests.
• To assess mobility status in primary brain tumor (PBT) patients.
• To identify factors associated with mobility impairment in PBT patients.

Main Methods:

• Adult PBT patients completed TUG/TSS tests and the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor module (MDASI-BT).
• Feasibility metrics (completion times/rates) and patient data were collected.
• Statistical analyses (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman's rho) examined test completion times and patient characteristics.

Main Results:

• The TUG/TSS tests were completed by 94% of the 66 PBT patients.
• Older age, new diagnosis, corticosteroid use, and poor Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) were linked to longer TUG/TSS completion times.
• Increased activity-related symptom interference correlated with longer TUG/TSS test completion times.

Conclusions:

• The TUG/TSS tests demonstrate feasibility and potential clinical utility for PBT patients.
• These tests can help identify mobility impairments associated with various clinical factors.
• Further research is needed to explore longitudinal feasibility and utility in diverse settings.