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Long-term improvement of the bio-psycho-social state of cancer patients after 3 weeks of inpatient oncological rehabilitation

A long-term study at the Humanomed Zentrum Althofen

Langzeitverbesserung der biopsychosozialen Situation onkologischer Patienten durch 3‑wöchige stationäre onkologische Rehabilitation

Eine Langzeitstudie im Humanomed Zentrum Althofen

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Summary

A 3-week cancer rehabilitation program was conducted at the Humanomed Zentrum Althofen, comprising therapy of organic defects, lifestyle modification, and psycho-social support. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed in comprehensive surveys before and after the therapy, and after 6 and 12 months. The study covers a 5-year period with data from 3233 patients. Parameters of subjective health assessed according to the European Quality of Life – 5 Dimensions (EuroQol EQ-5D) standard and signifying quality of life showed significant improvement both immediately after the therapy, and after 6 and 12 months. Anxiety and depression, assessed according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, were significantly and persistently diminished, and the sense of coherence elevated. Therapeutic success was somewhat dependent on socio-economic parameters, but was largely independent of income and cancer type. This study thus clearly documents the significant efficacy of a rehabilitation treatment based on bio-psycho-social concepts, which may be further improved by additional ambulant or stationary care.

Zusammenfassung

Ein 3‑wöchiges Rehabilitationsprogramm für Krebspatienten wurde am Humanomed Zentrum Althofen durchgeführt, fokussiert auf eine Therapie organischer Defekte, Lebensstilmodifikationen und psychosoziale Unterstützung. Die therapeutische Wirksamkeit wurde mittels umfangreicher Befragungen zu Beginn und am Ende der Therapie sowie nach 6 und 12 Monaten erhoben. Die Studie umfasst einen Zeitraum von 5 Jahren und Daten von 3233 Personen. Parameter zur subjektiven Einschätzung des Gesundheitszustands gemäß „European Quality of Life – 5 Dimensions“(EuroQol-EQ-5D)-Standard, und damit der Lebensqualität, waren unmittelbar nach Therapieende sowie auch nach 6 und 12 Monaten signifikant verbessert. Ängstlichkeit und Depressivität gemäß Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale waren signifikant und bleibend vermindert, das Kohärenzgefühl erwies sich als signifikant verbessert. Der Therapieerfolg war zu einem gewissen Grad von sozioökonomischen Parametern abhängig, jedoch weitgehend unabhängig vom Einkommen und der spezifischen Krebsform. Die nach biopsychosozialen Gesichtspunkten konzipierte Rehabilitationsbehandlung war folglich in signifikanter Weise wirksam, zur weiteren Verbesserung könnten zusätzliche ambulante oder stationäre Behandlungen beitragen.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the family of Dipl-Kfm Helmut Eder and the chief physicians of the PVA for support and cooperation during establishment of the project.

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Correspondence to Johann Klocker.

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Conflict of interest

J. Klocker, U. Klocker-Kaiser, W. Pipam, and D. Geissler declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethical standards

All patients agreed to take part in this study, filling out the questionnaires voluntarily. The study followed the principles of noninterventional (observational) studies and thus did not require assessment by an Ethic Committee. It was considered part of general quality management without any impact on the treatment of the patients.

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Klocker, J., Klocker-Kaiser, U., Pipam, W. et al. Long-term improvement of the bio-psycho-social state of cancer patients after 3 weeks of inpatient oncological rehabilitation. Wien Med Wochenschr 168, 350–360 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-018-0619-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-018-0619-1

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