Integrating Physiotherapy for Enhancing Functional Recovery in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Case Report

TL;DR

This case report shows how physiotherapy can help improve the quality of life for a glioblastoma patient by addressing symptoms like weakness and fatigue.

Contribution

The paper presents a tailored six-week physiotherapy protocol for glioblastoma patients to enhance functional recovery and palliative care.

Findings

The patient showed significant improvement in symptoms using outcome measures like FIM and mRS.

Physiotherapy helped prevent secondary complications such as deep vein thrombosis and decreased coordination.

A goal-oriented rehabilitation program improved the patient's overall quality of life despite the poor prognosis.

Abstract

Glioblastoma is the most prevalent primary brain tumor. Because glioblastomas are very vascular, they may worsen the disease's neurologic symptoms by causing vasogenic brain edema and mass effects with a wide range of other symptoms. In this case report, a 42-year-old male complaining of severe headache, generalized weakness, and forgetfulness was brought to a territory care hospital, where a detailed neurological examination and investigations with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a grade IV (high-grade) glioma at the right frontotemporal and capsuloganglionic regions of the brain, and was suggested for surgery. Postoperatively, the patient was referred for chemotherapy, but due to severe weakness, fatigue, and motor deficits, he was referred for physiotherapy. Follow-up was conducted to monitor the patient's progression using various outcome measures. These measures included the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Mobility Scale, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Scale. Significant improvement was observed in the patient's symptoms, as tracked by these outcome measures. Therefore, it is important that a tailored rehabilitation protocol of six weeks was planned, focusing on palliative care and some symptoms of weakness, reduced strength, tone, and breathlessness to prevent secondary complications like deep vein thrombosis, irritability, anxiety, forgetfulness, decreased balance, and coordination in sitting. Since the prognosis of grade IV glioblastoma is poor, the goal-oriented rehabilitation program will help improve the palliative status and the overall quality of life of the patient.

Figures