Effects of an Integrative Day Care Clinic Program with a Focus on Nature Therapy in a Hospital Park Setting on Quality of Life in Oncological Patients-A Non-Randomized Controlled Study.
Lisa KuballaChristian S KesslerFarid-Ihab KandilChristel von ScheidtMeline MeinköhnBarbara KochManfred WischnewskyAndreas MichalsenMichael JeitlerPublished in: Cancers (2023)
Cancer often causes long-term physical and psychological impairments. Lifestyle modification and nature-based interventions (NBIs) can have a positive impact on patients' quality of life (QOL). This participants-blinded, non-randomized controlled study assessed parameters at weeks 0, 12, and 24, including, as a primary endpoint, QOL in cancer patients on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) at week 12. QOL in breast cancer patients, fatigue, well-being, stress, anxiety/depression, socio-psychological well-being, benefits of nature interaction, insomnia, self-efficacy, mindfulness, and self-compassion were assessed as secondary endpoints. N = 107 cancer patients (96.3% women; 52.5 ± 9.3 years, 80.4% breast cancer) were assigned to either a 12-week nature-based (NDC; n = 56) or conventional (DC; n = 51) oncology day care clinic program, whereby the assignment group was not known to the participants. There was no significant group difference for the primary endpoint. At week 24, QOL, fatigue, mindfulness and self-compassion scores were significantly higher, and at weeks 12 and 24, the insomnia score was significantly lower in NDC compared to DC. In conclusion, this study indicates positive and clinically relevant effects of the program on QOL, fatigue, and psychological parameters. NBIs seem to have a more pronounced effect.
Keyphrases
- sleep quality
- end stage renal disease
- placebo controlled
- physical activity
- healthcare
- quality improvement
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- cancer therapy
- chronic kidney disease
- primary care
- prognostic factors
- chronic pain
- metabolic syndrome
- open label
- phase iii
- study protocol
- pregnant women
- emergency department
- randomized controlled trial
- weight loss
- mental health
- patient reported outcomes
- stem cells
- minimally invasive
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- pain management
- bone marrow
- papillary thyroid
- adipose tissue
- pregnancy outcomes
- affordable care act
- insulin resistance
- adverse drug
- robot assisted
- radical prostatectomy