Exploring the Functional and Psychosocial Impacts of CAR T-Cell Therapy from an Occupational Therapy Perspective

Background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an immunotherapy with preliminary success in treating blood cancers, however, it is associated with adverse side effects that can impact patients’ functional statuses. There is a need to further explore side effects associated with CAR T-cell therapy and the role that occupational therapy may serve in addressing affected areas. The purpose of this study was to explore the functional and psychosocial effects patients experience while undergoing CAR T-cell therapy to better understand the rehabilitation needs from an occupational therapy perspective. Methods A retrospective chart review was completed to collect data from patients who underwent CAR T-cell therapy at a cancer hospital between February 2024 and July 2024. Patients were included if they received occupational therapy services throughout their inpatient stay, including completion of selected assessments prior to infusion, day +3 following infusion, day +6 following infusion, and day +9 following infusion. Results Trends between assessment scores prior to infusion and prior to discharge were explored with each patient. Although with varied results, this study found that CAR T-cell therapy may affect patients’ cognition, psychosocial wellbeing, grip strength, balance, and fatigue levels. Discussion Occupational therapy practitioners in acute care oncology can focus on the areas identified in this study to support evaluation and intervention planning for patients undergoing inpatient CAR T-cell therapy.