Significant improvements in physical function, mood, quality of life, and symptom burden at three months<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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WEDNESDAY, June 25, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The telehealth-administered Geriatric Assessment\u2013Guided Intervention (GAIN-S) improves physical function, mood, quality of life, and prognostic understanding among older patients with metastatic cancer, according to a study published online in the June issue of the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network<\/em>.<\/p>\n Cristiane Decat Bergerot, Ph.D., from Oncoclinicas & Co – Medica Scientia Innovation Research in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and colleagues conducted a randomized clinical trial enrolling adults aged \u226565 years with metastatic cancer between June 2022 and July 2023 to examine the impact of the telehealth-adapted GAIN-S. Eighty patients were randomly assigned to receive usual care or GAIN-S (40 in each arm). In the GAIN-S arm, an intervention plan based on impairments identified through geriatric assessment was developed by a multidisciplinary team; the plan included targeted referrals to psychiatry, social services, nutrition, supportive care, and certified fitness training over a three-month period.<\/p>\n The researchers found that patients in the GAIN-S arm showed significant improvements in physical function (instrumental activities of daily living, +1.8), mood (Geriatric Depression Scale, \u22122.7), quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy\u2013General, +13.2), and symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, \u221214.6) at three months. Significantly more accurate prognostic understanding was also demonstrated by patients in the intervention arm.<\/p>\n “By bringing supportive care approaches to patients at the beginning of their cancer care journey, we can significantly improve the experience, communication, and outcomes of patients’ lives,” Decat Bergerot said in a statement.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n