Introduction to INSPIRE: Integrated Short-Term Palliative Rehabilitation for People with Incurable Cancer

This presentation provides an introduction to INSPIRE (Integrated Short-Term Palliative Rehabilitation in Incurable Cancer), a multinational European research project investigating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an integrated, short-term palliative rehabilitation intervention for people with incurable cancer. Presented by Professor Matthew Maddocks of the Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation at King's College London, the slides outline the project's scientific background, objectives, intervention, research methodology and anticipated impact. The presentation covers: Background and rationale: The impact of incurable cancer on physical functioning, disability, quality of life and access to rehabilitation services, and the need to strengthen the integration of rehabilitation within palliative care. Project objectives: Evaluating whether a person-centred, tailored and equitable rehabilitation intervention can reduce symptom burden and disability, improve social participation and quality of life, and reduce the burden of care for families. INSPIRE intervention: An integrated rehabilitation approach developed with patients, family members and clinicians, comprising three manualised sessions delivered by an expert rehabilitation practitioner. Core components include symptom self-management, physical activity and fitness, and social participation. Research methodology: A multinational randomised controlled trial conducted across Denmark, France, Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom, alongside comparative health service analyses, mixed-methods evaluations and evidence synthesis. Trial design: An eight-week intervention, with quality of life measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General (FACT-G) questionnaire as the primary endpoint at eight weeks. Implementation and evaluation: Examination of intervention delivery, reach, fidelity, equity and implementation barriers and facilitators across different healthcare settings. Consortium and anticipated impact: An overview of the INSPIRE partners and the project's expected contribution to clinical practice, healthcare services, research and policy. The presentation provides an overview of the INSPIRE study design and its intended contribution to improving access to palliative rehabilitation for people with incurable cancer. Project: INSPIRE – Integrated Short-Term Palliative Rehabilitation in Incurable Cancer. Presenter: Professor Matthew Maddocks, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, United Kingdom.