Trajectories of Participation in Daily Life among Individuals Newly Diagnosed with Cancer: A 5-Month Longitudinal Study.

To determine how participation in daily life is impacted during the first six months following a new cancer diagnosis and to identify risk factors for participation restrictions. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were used to suggest referrals to rehabilitation services. Participants (n = 123) were adults (> 18 years) with the newly diagnosed primary brain, breast, colorectal, or lung cancer. PROs were collected at baseline (within 30 days of diagnosis/treatment initiation), two and five months post baseline. Daily life participation was assessed through the community participation indicators (CPI) (score range: 0–1) and patient-reported outcome measurement information system (PROMIS) ability to participate, (score range: 20–80; mean: 50, SD: 10). PROMIS-43 profile was also completed. Linear mixed-effect models with random intercept evaluated change in participation over time. The baseline total sample mean CPI score was 0.56; patients reported mildly impaired participation based on PROMIS scores (baseline: 46.19, 2-month follow-up: 44.81, 5 months: 44.84). However, no statistically significant changes in participation were observed over the study period. Risk factors for lower participation included receiving chemotherapy, lower physical function, higher anxiety and fatigue, and reduction in employment, p < 0.05. PROs indicated that roughly half of the participants may benefit from physical or occupational therapy or mental health support, but only 20–36