Countermeasures against delirium during cancer treatment-from the standpoint of a physical therapist-

Abstract

Delirium is the most common neuropsychiatric complication observed in cancer patients. The prevalence of delirium in cancer is around 10% to 30% in hospitalized patients and up to 85% in terminal cancer patients. The incidence of delirium is associated with mortality, increased medical expenses, and lengthy hospitalization. In addition, delirium causes long-term cognitive decline, leading to a major decline in the quality of life thereafter. Therefore early detection and appropriate intervention are very important. Careful monitoring is required, especially in elderly patients with multiple complications. And early pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacological interventions are useful. However, although non-pharmacological is recognized as important, its basis is still scarce compared to drug therapy, and it is not considered to have a sufficient effect on mortality and health-related quality of life. However, especially in elderly patients with delirium, it is highly responsive to delirium prevention, and it has been reported that if the initial symptoms of delirium, the improvement is quickened and affects the decline in cognitive function.In recent years, non-pharmacological have also been emphasized in the ESMO guidelines. It is important for us physical therapists to consider effective intervention strategies.