Clinical and Paraclinical Characteristics Relevant to NeuroRehabilitation and Their Outcomes in Postoperative...

Glioblastoma (used to be called glioblastoma multiforme-GBM) is the most common and aggressive brain tumor, having the lowest overall survival rate. Initial focal neurological deficits are primarily attributable to surrounding edema; however, as tumor invasion progresses, these deficits become more pronounced and permanent. The standard treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma is represented by cytoreductive neurosurgery followed by the Stupp Protocol. Postoperative recovery of the patient with glioblastoma is a long-term process that should include, for overall more acceptable outcomes, neurorehabilitation. This review aims to bring together evidence from neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, and neurorehabilitation in order to better understand the factors associated with recovery, functional status, and quality of life (QoL) after glioblastoma surgery. Our work also aimed to update the related knowledge base and to attempt to optimize the related protocols in patients with operated cerebral glioblastoma.

For these purposes, we conducted a systematic literature review to assess the current state of research referring to the above-mentioned topic. We have used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-widely recognized internationally) methodology. We used, in this respect, specific keyword combinations/"syntaxes" for searching literature in the domain, in four international databases.

Following PRISMA screening, 14 studies met the predefined eligibility criteria. Additional manual reference screening and complementary searches identified further relevant publications, resulting in a total of 22 included articles. Together, the reviewed work addressed a diverse range of topics relevant to postoperative glioblastoma management, including the potential role of multidisciplinary rehabilitation, cognitive interventions, neuromodulation approaches, and functional assessment strategies in improving postoperative outcomes and QoL in glioblastoma patients, while emphasizing that this interdisciplinary domain warrants more extended approaches.

Despite the relatively limited and largely exploratory available information, neurorehabilitation may contribute to improved functional outcomes and QoL in patients with glioblastoma.