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Work‐related medical rehabilitation in patients with cancer—Postrehabilitation results from a cluster‐randomized multicenter trial
Author(s) -
Fauser David,
Wienert Julian,
Beinert Thomas,
Schmielau Jan,
Biester Irene,
Krüger HansUlrich,
Presl Angelika,
Bethge Matthias
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.32131
Subject(s) - medicine , rehabilitation , psychosocial , physical therapy , randomized controlled trial , quality of life (healthcare) , randomization , clinical trial , cluster (spacecraft) , nursing , psychiatry , computer science , programming language
Background Effective multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs supporting the return to work have become increasingly relevant for cancer survivors. In Germany, inpatient work‐related medical rehabilitation programs consider treatment modules of work‐related diagnostics, work‐related functional capacity training, psychosocial groups, and intensified social counseling. The authors tested the effectiveness of a work‐related medical rehabilitation program compared with conventional medical rehabilitation using a cluster‐randomized multicenter trial (German Clinical Trial Register: DRKS00007770). Methods In total, 484 patients with cancer were recruited at 4 rehabilitation centers. Patients at a center who started their rehabilitation in the same week represented a cluster. These clusters were randomly assigned using computer‐generated randomization schedules either to an intervention group (IG) or to a control group (CG). The primary outcome was role functioning. Secondary outcomes were other quality‐of‐life domains and the return to work. Results In total, 425 patients (210 in the IG) were included in the analysis at the 3‐month follow‐up. There was no significant difference between the IG and CG in role functioning (b = 3.55; 95% CI, −1.18 to 8.29; P = .142). Participants in the IG reported better physical functioning (b = 5.99; 95% CI, 3.33‐8.65; P < .001), less physical fatigue (b = −5.09; 95% CI, −9.62 to −0.56; P = .028), and less pain (b = −6.24; 95% CI, −11.24 to −1.23; P = .015). Conclusions Work‐related medical rehabilitation had no effect on the primary outcome compared with conventional medical rehabilitation but may enhance physical functioning and reduce physical fatigue and pain.