Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation can be a very important part of the treatment plan. The goals of rehabilitation depend on the person's needs and how the tumor has affected daily activities.

Talk to your doctor about referrals to the following rehabilitation services offered here at Roswell park:

Physical Therapy

Brain tumors and their treatment may cause paralysis, weakness and problems with balance.  Physical therapists can help:

• Restore the use of limbs
• Prevent a disability
• Relieve pain
• Improve muscular, cardiovascular and pulmonary functioning
• Help patients adapt to a permanent disability or prosthesis.

Speech and Hearing Therapy

Brain tumors may cause difficulties with your ability to communicate and/or swallowing for various reasons. Your tumor may be located in a part of the brain involved with speech, language, thinking, or the control of swallowing.

Speech therapists help patients who have trouble speaking, expressing thoughts, or swallowing.

Hearing tests are offered to anyone receiving chemotherapy since chemotherapy may impair your hearing. If you would like a referral to see a speech or hearing therapist, speak to your doctor.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy focuses on helping you maintain or regain independence in your daily life. They can help you with your muscle strength, manual dexterity and coordination.

Many of these exercises can be done while you are in the hospital and continued at home. Occupational therapists also develop programs for patients with prolonged hospital stays who need assistance with depression and cancer fatigue.

Cancer Fatigue Program

Cancer-related fatigue is a severe type of fatigue that may be caused by cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. Fatigue can be one of the most distressing side effects of cancer treatments and it can severely affect your quality of life.

The Occupational Therapy Department at RPCI has developed strategies to help you manage your cancer-related fatigue. Goals of the program are to reduce your level of fatigue, maximize your productivity and participation in important activities in your daily life, and help you adjust to limitations imposed by fatigue. To make an appointment with the Occupational Therapy Department on ways to help you manage your fatigue call (716)845-1288 or (716) 845-3271.

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