The effect of inpatient rehabilitation programmes on quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis: a multi-center study

Abstract

Background: Disease-specific, multimodal inpatient rehabilitation programmes are designed to improve the physical, emotional, and social functioning of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study investigates the effects of a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation program on health-related quality of life (QL).

Methods: 84 German patients with CF (16-62 years of age, FEV1 mean 52.9% of the predicted), participating in an inpatient rehabilitation programme, completed the Questions on Life Satisfaction-Modules (FLZM) at the beginning and one month after the end of intervention. The FLZM allows the multi-dimensional evaluation of subjectively perceived satisfaction with general and health-specific life domains. In addition, medical parameters (FEV1, Body Mass Index) and socio-demographic data were registered.

Results: Compared to the baseline scores, after rehabilitation, participants were significantly more satisfied with general, health-related, and CF-related aspects of their lives. Specifically, improvement was noted in the following items: breathing difficulties/cough, sleep, integration of therapy into daily routine, leisure activities, general health perception, physical condition and being free from anxiety.

Conclusion: Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation programmes are a promising strategy to improve the quality of life of adolescent and adult CF-patients.

Figure 1

Differential effects of the rehabilitation programme on quality of life: comparison of weighted satisfaction (mean scores in the study group, scales ranging from -12 to +20) at the beginning (black) and one month after intervention (grey) in fifteen domains of the Questions on Life Satisfaction (FLZ^M) (N = 84; + indicate significant improvement: p ≤ .05).