Cancer Cachexia Rehabilitation in a Novel Outpatient Clinical Program

Cancer cachexia is a tumor-induced muscle wasting syndrome that has a debilitating impact on patient functional status, quality of life, and cancer prognosis. This brief report summarizes a retrospective cohort study that aims to describe the oncological histories, functional co-impairments, therapy referral patterns, and physical therapy (PT) outcomes of 163 patients who were evaluated at a novel physiatry-led outpatient cancer cachexia clinic (2021–2023). 49% of the cohort that met Fearon consensus criteria for cachexia demonstrated increased odds of experiencing multiple impairments [OR = 7.4, p < 0.0001], specifically gluteal weakness [OR = 2.6, p = 0.0078], and 4 times the odds of receiving a walking program intervention [OR = 4.1, p = 0.0004]. PT was prescribed for 71% of the cohort, with no significant difference between cachexia and non-cachexia groups in PT order frequency [OR = 0.9, p = 0.7307] or PT initiation [OR = 0.8, p = 0.5419]. However, cachexia patients trended toward lower odds of meeting PT long-term goals or having these goals reassessed [OR = 0.2, p = 0.0032]. This study highlights cachexia prevalence, rehabilitation challenges, and the need for standardized, evidence-based treatment protocols. Gluteal weakness assessment may improve referrals to cachexia rehabilitation.