Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07654933

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

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).

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Advanced Cancer Palliative

Age range

18 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Jazan Health Cluster

Jizan, 86611, Saudi Arabia

About this study

A prospective single-group pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Palliative Care Unit at Jazan Specialist Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, between August 2025 and April 2026. Sixty patients were managed during the study period; of these, 32 patients with complete paired pre- and post-intervention assessments were included in the final statistical analysis. Patients received an individualized physiotherapy program once daily for one week (7 sessions), with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. The intervention included range-of-motion exercises, manual therapy, strengthening exercises, stretching, mobility training, transfer training, ambulation exercises, positioning, and chest physiotherapy. Outcome measures included the Barthel Index (BI), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), and Palliative Performance Scale (PPS). Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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.

Exclusion criteria

  • 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.

Treatment and study plan

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).

Primary outcomes

  1. Improvement in Barthel Index (BI)

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

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

  2. Improvement in Functional Ambulation Category (FAC)

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

    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).

  3. Improvement in Palliative Performance Scale (PPS)

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

    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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Jazan

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Short-Term Effects of Physiotherapy on Functional Status, Ambulation, and Independence in Palliative Care Cancer Patients at Jazan Specialist Hospital: A Prospective Quasi Experimental Study

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 17, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.