Physiotherapy Effects on Function, Ambulation, and Independence in Palliative Cancer Care

NCT07654933 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UJazan_NHalawi
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examines the short-term effects of physiotherapy on functional status, ambulation, and independence among patients admitted to the palliative care unit at Jazan Specialist Hospital. The study hypothesizes that a short-term individualized physiotherapy program will lead to measurable improvements in functional outcomes as assessed by the Barthel Index (BI), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), and Palliative Performance Scale (PPS).

Conditions

Advanced Cancer; Palliative

Keywords

Palliative care; Physiotherapy; Rehabilitation; Barthel Index; Functional Ambulation Category; Palliative Performance Scale; Saudi Arabia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Improvement in Barthel Index (BI)

  The BI assesses independence in activities of daily living, with higher scores indicating greater independence. Scores range from 0 to 100.

  [Time Frame: Timepoint 1 = Baseline (within 24-48 hours of recruitment). Timepoint 2 = Post-intervention (day 7 or at discharge).]

• Improvement in Functional Ambulation Category (FAC)

  The FAC assesses walking ability and level of assistance required for ambulation. Scores range from 0 (non-ambulatory) to 5 (independent ambulation on all surfaces).

  [Time Frame: Timepoint 1 = Baseline. Timepoint 2 = Post-intervention (day 7 or at discharge).]

• Improvement in Palliative Performance Scale (PPS)

  The PPS assesses overall functional status in palliative care, with higher scores indicating better functional performance. Scores range from 0 to 100 in increments of 10.

  [Time Frame: Timepoint 1 = Baseline. Timepoint 2 = Post-intervention (day 7 or at discharge).]

Study Arms (1)

Experimental: Physiotherapy Intervention Group

OTHER

Individualized Physiotherapy Program Participants received an individualized physiotherapy program delivered once daily for one week (7 sessions), each lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. The program included: range-of-motion exercises, manual therapy, strengthening exercises, stretching, mobility training, transfer training, ambulation exercises, positioning, and chest physiotherapy, as clinically appropriate. The program was tailored to each patient's functional status, clinical condition, and tolerance, with modifications made according to daily clinical assessment. Outcome measures: Barthel Index (BI), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), and Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) assessed at baseline (within 24-48 hours of recruitment) and after completion of the one-week intervention (day 7).

Other: Experimental: Physiotherapy Intervention Group

Interventions

Experimental: Physiotherapy Intervention Group OTHER

Individualized Physiotherapy Program Participants received an individualized physiotherapy program delivered once daily for one week (7 sessions), each lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. The program included: range-of-motion exercises, manual therapy, strengthening exercises, stretching, mobility training, transfer training, ambulation exercises, positioning, and chest physiotherapy, as clinically appropriate. The program was tailored to each patient's functional status, clinical condition, and tolerance, with modifications made according to daily clinical assessment. Outcome measures: Barthel Index (BI), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), and Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) assessed at baseline (within 24-48 hours of recruitment) and after completion of the one-week intervention (day 7).

Experimental: Physiotherapy Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adult patients aged 18 years or older admitted to the palliative care unit with a confirmed diagnosis of advanced cancer.
• Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) score of 40 or above.
• Clinically stable and conscious at the time of recruitment.
• Capable of providing informed consent, either personally or through a legal guardian.

You may not qualify if:

• \. Pre-terminal or unstable clinical condition that precluded safe physiotherapy participation. 2. PPS score below 40 indicating severely reduced functional status.
• \. Unconsciousness or inability to engage meaningfully in physiotherapy sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Jazan: lead

Study Sites (1)

Jazan Health Cluster

Jizan, 86611, Saudi Arabia

Location

Study Officials

• Nujud Halawi

  University of Jazan

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 12, 2026
• First Posted: June 17, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2026
• Study Completion: June 13, 2026
• Last Updated: June 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SA (1)