To determine whether a program of post-discharge rehabilitation at home for patients operated for brain tumor was associated with functional gain and improvement in Quality of Life (QoL). One hundred and twenty-one patients affected by malignant brain tumor were enrolled in a program of post-discharge home care including neurorehabilitation. Functional outcome was evaluated with Barthel Index (BI) and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) measured before and after rehabilitation. The impact of rehabilitation on quality of life was evaluated with a quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30-BM 20).
Results: Barthel Index improved in 47 (39%) patients, was stable in 20 (16%) and worsened in 54 (44%). Only 54 patients completed the QoL questionnaire before and after treatment. After three months of rehabilitation, 72% of patients were found to have an improvement in at least one domain score compared with their baseline QoL scores. Rehabilitation at home in brain tumor patients was associated with significant functional gain measured both with BI and KPS. The benefit of rehabilitation may influence patient's perception of quality of life.