Author: Jeitler M1,2, Jaspers J1, von Scheidt C2, Koch B2, Michalsen A1,2, Steckhan N1, Kessler CS1,2
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Germany.
<sup>2</sup>Immanuel Hospital Berlin, Department of Internal and Complementary Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
Conference/Journal: Psychooncology.
Date published: 2017 Mar 31
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1002/pon.4433. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 270
OBJECTIVE: We developed an integrative day care clinic program for cancer patients focusing on mind-body techniques and health-promoting lifestyle modification (7 h once-per-week group sessions over 12 weeks).
METHODS: A cohort study design with a waiting group was implemented. Outcome parameters were assessed at the beginning, at the end of the active program, and at a 6-month follow-up. Patients waiting >4 and <12 weeks before treatment start were allocated to the waiting group and additionally assessed at the start of their day care program. Outcome measures included quality of life (FACT-G, FACT-B/C, WHO-5), fatigue (FACIT-F), depression/anxiety (HADS) and mood states (ASTS). A per protocol analysis using mixed linear models was performed.
RESULTS: 100 patients were screened on-site for eligibility. 86 cancer survivors (83% female; mean age 53.7 ± 9.7 years; 49% breast cancer) were included into the study. 62 patients were allocated to the intervention group, 24 patients to the waiting group (mean waiting time 5 ± 1 weeks). 66 data sets were included in the final analysis. Significant improvements were observed in favour of the intervention group after 12 weeks compared to the waiting group at the end of the waiting period for quality of life, anxiety/depression, and fatigue. Results from the 6-month follow-up for the whole study population showed lasting improvement of quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS: The program can be considered as an effective means to improve quality of life, fatigue and mental health of cancer patients. Moreover, it appears to have a sustainable effect, which has to be proved in randomized trials.
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KEYWORDS: Integrative medicine; Mind-Body Medicine; cancer; day care clinic program; lifestyle modification; mindfulness meditation; naturopathy; oncology
PMID: 28370730 DOI: 10.1002/pon.4433