The complexity of neurological disability is well represented by neuro-oncological population: in the course of the disease, in fact, patients affected by malignant brain tumor (BT)

present multiple neurological deficits, due to primary tumor effects and the adverse effects of treatments that pose important limitations to patient’s everyday functioning [3]. Impaired cognition, weakness, visuo-perceptual and motor problems were the most common neurological deficits reported in the population of patients with BTs [4]. Because of the recent advances in surgical techniques, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, survival times for patients with BTs have increased and more of these patients require rehabilitation support and services [5–8]. In fact, when cancer is viewed as a chronic disease, the selleck chemical concept of cancer rehabilitation become

EPZ015666 datasheet an important aspect of comprehensive care: patients not only expect physical rehabilitation, but also a broad range of services offered to develop skills which can enable them to cope with the long term consequences of cancer diseases [9, 10]. For this reason provision of individual- and group-oriented rehabilitation programs satisfies the patients’ demands for continuity in care and for encouragement to develop self-management Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II skills as described in the Chronic Care Model of the World Health Organization (WHO) [11]. Rehabilitation intervention in cancer patients is recommended both in early stage of disease, for restoring find more function after surgery and cancer therapy, and in advanced stage of disease as important part of palliative care with the aim to prevent complication, control the symptoms and maintain patients’ independence and quality of life [12–16]. In the context of rehabilitation care to disabled neurological patients, nurses play a key role as patients are highly dependent both on them and on healthcare

assistants [17]. Rehabilitation nursing practice is a specialty area in which the aim is to help individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses regain and maintain optimal health, but also to prevent the occurrence of common complications [18]. In the past, the lead for rehabilitation programmes often came from physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The contribution of the nurse to the rehabilitation process has not always been valued or regarded as an equal member of the rehabilitation team [19]. Nurses were expected to assume little more than an understudy’s role, providing the necessary care required by the patient who was preparing for “rehabilitation”.