Using Physical Therapy (PT) to Investigate How Cancer Cachexia Impacts Function
Poster #: 009
Session/Time: B
Author:
Sabrina Mundorff, BS
Mentor:
Ishan Roy, MD, PhD
Research Type: Chart Review
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by progressive muscle wasting, often resistant to nutritional support, and associated with poor functional outcomes. While physical activity is a key component of multimodal cachexia management, its real-world application and impact on rehabilitation outcomes remain understudied. Objective: To evaluate how a diagnosis of cancer cachexia affects physical therapy (PT) referral patterns, goal achievement, and therapy completion among patients receiving outpatient cancer rehabilitation.
METHODS:
A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with cancer seen at an outpatient cancer rehabilitation clinic between August 2022 and April 2025. Cachexia status was determined using the Fearon criteria. Data collected included PT referral status, evaluation dates, therapy location, goal status, and discharge outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS:
A total of 113 patient charts were analyzed. No statistically significant differences were found between patients with and without cachexia across all outcome variables, including PT referral rates, evaluation rates, goal progression, and completion of long-term PT goals. Patients in both groups had low rates of fully meeting long-term physical therapy goals.
CONCLUSION:
While this study did not find significant differences in PT outcomes based on cachexia status, the overall low rate of long-term goal completion highlights broader barriers to rehabilitation success in the cancer population. Future research should include larger, multicenter samples and control for confounding variables such as cancer type, stage, and baseline function. Evaluating earlier PT interventions and patient-centered outcomes (e.g., quality of life, strength) may clarify the therapeutic role of exercise in managing cancer cachexia.
Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by progressive muscle wasting, often resistant to nutritional support, and associated with poor functional outcomes. While physical activity is a key component of multimodal cachexia management, its real-world application and impact on rehabilitation outcomes remain understudied. Objective: To evaluate how a diagnosis of cancer cachexia affects physical therapy (PT) referral patterns, goal achievement, and therapy completion among patients receiving outpatient cancer rehabilitation.
METHODS:
A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with cancer seen at an outpatient cancer rehabilitation clinic between August 2022 and April 2025. Cachexia status was determined using the Fearon criteria. Data collected included PT referral status, evaluation dates, therapy location, goal status, and discharge outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS:
A total of 113 patient charts were analyzed. No statistically significant differences were found between patients with and without cachexia across all outcome variables, including PT referral rates, evaluation rates, goal progression, and completion of long-term PT goals. Patients in both groups had low rates of fully meeting long-term physical therapy goals.
CONCLUSION:
While this study did not find significant differences in PT outcomes based on cachexia status, the overall low rate of long-term goal completion highlights broader barriers to rehabilitation success in the cancer population. Future research should include larger, multicenter samples and control for confounding variables such as cancer type, stage, and baseline function. Evaluating earlier PT interventions and patient-centered outcomes (e.g., quality of life, strength) may clarify the therapeutic role of exercise in managing cancer cachexia.