Work‐related medical rehabilitation in patients with cancer—Postrehabilitation results from a cluster‐randomized multicenter trial. Issue 15 (15th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fauser, David; Wienert, Julian; Beinert, Thomas; Schmielau, Jan; Biester, Irene; Krüger, Hans‐Ulrich; Presl, Angelika; Bethge, Matthias
• Is Part Of: Cancer. Volume 125:Issue 15(2019)
• Page Start: 2666
• Page End: 2674
• Publication Date: 2019-04-15
• Subjects: cancer -- cluster‐randomized multicenter trial -- effectiveness -- quality of life -- return to work -- work‐related medical rehabilitation; Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Cytopathology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-543X

Abstract

Abstract : 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. Abstract : Work‐related medical rehabilitation has no effect on role functioning compared with conventional medical rehabilitation. However, it may enhance physical functioning and reduce physical fatigue and pain.