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).
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
32
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).
Jazan Health Cluster
Jizan, Saudi Arabia
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: [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: [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: [Time Frame: Timepoint 1 = Baseline. Timepoint 2 = Post-intervention (day 7 or at discharge).]
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