'Patience is a virtue' - Post-traumatic Axillary Web Syndrome - resolution without intervention.

The current case report showcases an atypical symptomatic post-traumatic Axillary Web Syndrome in a 63-year-old Caucasian male patient with complete resolution of symptoms with no intervention. Axillary web syndrome is a condition where the skin area under the axilla becomes taut and on palpation there is a cord-like feeling similar to a guitar string, usually bound together as spider web appearance. The case report highlights the importance of appropriate physical examination and also the need for Community Diagnostic Centres and Point of Care Ultrasound services to help provide patients with timely diagnosis, reduce patient anxiety, and enhance patient experience and outcomes. The current case study is specifically useful for healthcare professionals working in primary care, especially in the National Health Service, where resources are already stretched to avoid unnecessary referrals, interventions and investigations. The case report is atypical since axillary web syndrome is typically and largely seen in cancer patients, specifically post breast cancer surgery in females and very rarely seen as a post traumatic presentation in acute setting.

American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Return to Work Guidance Committee Recommendations for Health Care Providers Who Take Care of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Patients.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) health care providers report a desire to improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for their patients. One of the items frequently cited by patients in terms of transitioning from being a patient back to pre-HCT life is return to work (RTW). However, these patients report little support from their health care providers in facilitating this process, and only 50% to 60% achieve RTW, at a median of 3 years post-HCT. Barriers are physical, psychological, and logistical, as well as poor communication between the patient and their employer. We convened a group of experts in survivorship, rehabilitation, social work, and psychology to draft an evidence-based document to assist health care providers in guiding their patients' RTW journey. Guidance is drawn from the existing literature for HCT and general cancer patients and is divided into pre-HCT, peri-HCT, and post-HCT categories. Collaboration among health care providers, patients, and their employers is key to this transition. Suggested referrals and evaluations also are provided. The goal is for this guidance to be continually updated as we advance the field with more HCT-specific literature.

Evidence-based exercises intervention in adults diagnosed with Lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy or exercise intervention on quality of life (QOL), fatigue, sleep, and psychological and physical functioning in adults diagnosed with Lymphoma. METHODS: A systematic literature search of the PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PEDro databases was carried out to identify articles published from March 2010 until December 2020. The risk of bias, methodological quality, and level of evidence was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) checklist. RESULTS: Out of the 577 articles identified from the initial search, a total of 12 randomised control trials were shortlistd for this systematic review. From the 12 articles, 9 studies included participants with Lymphoma who were at various stages of chemotherapy or had completed treatment and 3 studies included participants with various haematological malignancies and had stem cell transplantation. The quality of each study was assessed using the PEDro scale with the a mean score of 6.3±0.89. The PEDro scores regarding the quality of studies ranged from 5-8 (fair to good). CONCLUSION: There is moderate evidence strength suggesting that exercises therapy for persons diagnosed with Lymphoma can include aerobic or cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and mind-body exercise has beneficial effects on fatigue, physical performance, and QOL in persons diagnosed with Lymphoma patients.PROSPERO No.: CRD42021227418.

Recommendations on service delivery to help reduce suffering and anxiety in patients and caregivers post-hematopoietic cell transplantation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of having a central case managing team and to make some strong recommendations that can have a positive impact on the lives of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors. CASE PRESENTATION: A 2-year-old white child who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in May 2014 relapsed in March 2017, and underwent a second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in July 2017, at which point he suffered from graft-versus-host disease. This case report presents his journey and that of his caregivers, and the challenges they faced as patient and parents in pursuit of optimal quality of life during the survivorship period. The case study emphasizes not only the challenges faced by patients but also identified gaps in post-hematopoietic cell transplantation care service delivery. Furthermore, the case study also highlights the importance of involving caregivers in post-transplant care and having a better communication process and service facilitation process throughout the journey of the patient and their carer. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant centers have a duty of care, and a proactive approach with a well-defined pathway is needed for managing post-transplant complications and reducing stress and anxiety for patients and their caregivers.

Understanding the Process and Challenges for Return-to-Work Post-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation from a Musculoskeletal Perspective: A Narrative Review.

The current paper seeks to inform healthcare professionals on how adapting various components of return to work (RTW) programs that are already in use by other musculoskeletal rehabilitation settings can help optimize return to work process for patients with or without musculoskeletal manifestations, posthematopoietic cell transplantation. Since there is no universally agreed RTW structure for hematopoietic cell transplant patients, a narrative approach has been taken utilizing evidence from the existing musculoskeletal return to work assessment publications to help draw parallel for the hematopoietic cell transplant patients. Databases were searched including PUBMED, CINHAL, AMED, SCOPUS, and Cochrane using keywords RTW, functional restoration program, hematopoietic cell transplant, bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant, and musculoskeletal functional assessment. The authors have managed to outline and propose a structured RTW assessment and monitoring program which can aid in getting patients back to employment by utilizing the functional capacity and job evaluation to help hematopoietic cell transplantation patients reintegrate socially. Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplant require additional support and a robust assessment system to allow safe RTW. The proposed model of RTW assessment can prove to be beneficial in helping patients return to work safely. Clinical Significance. To acknowledge the individuality in functional limitation is important in determining not only the rehab needs but also the RTW capabilities. The proposed RTW plan not only promotes an individualized approach to patients but also provides a structure for return to work assessments for hematopoietic cell transplantation patients, thus, eliminating the need for guess work by healthcare professionals. In line with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) recommendations, a RTW assessment combined with a job evaluation helps healthcare professionals and stakeholders to understand the unique challenges and strengths of a patient and thereby design an individualized therapy approach.

Physical therapy pathway and protocol for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Recommendations from The Eastern Mediterranean Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EMBMT) Group.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are often referred for physical therapy (PT) to help improve their quality of life. However, to our knowledge there is no clear PT pathway to guide therapists and patients before, during, and after HSCT. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was carried out exploring the role and benefits of PT in HSCT patients. The current evidence was comlimented with recommendations and opinions from the experts in the field, which included PT's and hematology consultants from PTAGVHD and the EMBMT group. RESULT: A clear pathway and protocol as a working guide for rehabilitation professionals working with the HSCT patient's was developed. CONCLUSION: This paper not only reviews the current evidence on safe PT practice but also puts forward a protocol and pathway for HSCT rehabilitation, highlights the importance of individualized exercise intervention for HSCT patients, and outlines safe practice guidelines for the physical therapists working in this field.

Role of Physical Therapy before and after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: White Paper Report.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients can suffer from various musculoskeletal problems resulting in long-term functional incapacity. Physical therapy (PT), as a part of the healthcare team, has been historically advocated for regaining functional capacity and improving quality of life post-HSCT. Because of the nature of this condition and the burden of post-transplant complications, this patient group requires a unique approach toward their rehabilitation that takes into account their complex musculoskeletal presentation ranging from fascia, muscle, tendons, bones, and ligaments. However, to our knowledge there is no universal standardized PT protocol or pathway to help guide rehab specialists to achieve optimal gains for this patient group, and anecdotal evidence suggests that these patients do not always receive the PT care they require. Hence, in collaboration with the Transplant Complications Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the Survivorship Special Interest Group of the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, and the Quality of Life Committee of the Eastern Mediterranean Blood and Marrow Transplantation, herein the Physical Therapy Association for Graft Versus Host Disease provides a brief review on role of PT in mitigating musculoskeletal complications in HSCT patients and makes evidence-based recommendations for incorporation of PT into routine HSCT care.

Are graft-versus-host-disease patients missing out on the vital occupational therapy services? a systematic review.

The aim of this review is to show the importance of occupational therapy/hand therapy for chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) patients and to outline the current state of the literature. GVHD of the hand can cause functional loss, reduced activities of daily life, poor social interaction, and loss of income because of limitations in work. Hand therapy, which is a specialty practised by both occupational therapists and physical therapists, has been proven to be an effective approach for hand-related musculoskeletal disorders; however, the literature search suggests that it is an underutilized specialty around the world. An electronic search was performed from 1997 to 2017 using OneFile (GALE), Medline/PubMed (NLM), Scopus (Elsevier), Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science), ProQuest Central (New), ProQuest Hospital Collection, Health Reference Center Academic (Gale), Health Research Premium Collection, Science Direct Journals (Elsevier), ProQuest Health & Medical Complete, Medical Database, Wiley Online Library, and SciTech Premium Collection for the period from 1994 to April 2017. Only randomized-controlled trials involving occupational therapy or hand therapy in patients with chronic hand GVHD were included in the final analysis. The search was limited to articles in English. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality and extracted the data. The JADAD scoring method was used to score the articles. After the duplicates were excluded, 5466 articles were identified by the electronic database search for screening, out of which 5465 articles were excluded after reviewing. One article was further excluded on obtaining the full text as it was a case study. Hand therapy specialty, although a vital part of the recovery process for the patients with hand GVHD, is an underutilized specialty and well-designed trials are urgently needed for musculoskeletal hand GVHD, especially for focused hand therapy interventions.