Interprofessional Approach to Fall Risk Screening in Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Geriatrics
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Radiation therapy (RT) for cancer increases patient fall risk.
• Age, treatment side effects, and neurological deficits contribute to falls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test in assessing fall risk in cancer patients undergoing RT.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized the validated and objective Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test.

Main Results:

• The TUG Test provides an objective measure for fall risk assessment in this population.

Conclusions:

• The TUG Test is a valuable tool for identifying cancer patients at risk of falls during radiation therapy.