2023 Nadler/PASSOR Awards-2022 Session Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This video presentation discusses a feasibility study on the acceptability and effectiveness of early cancer physiatry consultation to decrease AI-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMS) in patients with early stage hormone receptor positive breast cancer. The study involved 25 newly diagnosed patients who were referred for cancer physiatry consultation at the time of AI therapy initiation and at subsequent intervals. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of early physiatry referral and to explore the trajectory of pain and function among patients on aromatase inhibitors. The findings so far indicate that early physiatry referral is feasible and acceptable for patients with early stage breast cancer. All visits were attended by the patients and they reported high acceptability scores for the interventions. Treatment recommendations included physical therapy, medications, topical treatments, acupuncture, bracing, and injections. The study also looked at patient-reported pain and function using questionnaires such as the Brief Pain Inventory, the WOMAC, and the QuickDASH. Preliminary findings suggested a relatively flat trajectory of pain and function scores, but further analysis is required. The researchers suggest that physiatrists can play an important role as part of an interdisciplinary team in the management of AIMS in breast cancer patients. Further research is needed to investigate the potential impact of physiatry consultation on oncologic outcomes and adherence to aromatase inhibitor therapy.

Keywords

feasibility study

acceptability

early cancer physiatry consultation

AI-associated musculoskeletal symptoms

AIMS

hormone receptor positive breast cancer

physiatry referral

pain and function

aromatase inhibitors