@article{PetersFallerPfeiferetal.2016, author = {Peters, Stefan and Faller, Hermann and Pfeifer, Klaus and Meng, Karin}, title = {Experiences of Rehabilitation Professionals with the Implementation of a Back School for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Qualitative Study}, series = {Rehabilitation Research and Practice}, volume = {2016}, journal = {Rehabilitation Research and Practice}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1155/2016/6720783}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-146053}, pages = {6720783}, year = {2016}, abstract = {A standardized curriculum back school (CBS) has been recommended for further dissemination in medical rehabilitation in Germany. However, implementation of self-management education programs into practice is challenging. In low back pain care, individual factors of professionals could be decisive regarding implementation fidelity. The study aim was to explore attitudes and experiences of professionals who conducted the back school. Qualitative interviews were led with 45 rehabilitation professionals. The data were examined using thematic analysis. Three central themes were identified: (a) "back school as a common thread," (b) "theory versus practice," and (c) "participation and patient-centeredness." The CBS and its manual were frequently described positively because they provide structure. However, specified time was mentioned critically and there were heterogeneous perceptions regarding flexibility in conducting the CBS. Theory and practice in the CBS were discussed concerning amount, distribution, and conjunction. Participation and patient-centeredness were mainly mentioned in terms of amount and heterogeneity of participation as well as the demand for competences of professionals. Factors were detected that may either positively or negatively influence the implementation fidelity of self-management education programs. The results are explorative and provide potential explanatory mechanisms for behavior and acceptance of rehabilitation professionals regarding the implementation of biopsychosocial back schools.}, language = {en} } @article{MengMusekampSeekatzetal.2013, author = {Meng, Karin and Musekamp, Gunda and Seekatz, Bettina and Glatz, Johannes and Karger, Gabriele and Kiwus, Ulrich and Knoglinger, Ernst and Schubmann, Rainer and Westphal, Ronja and Faller, Hermann}, title = {Evaluation of a self-management patient education program for patients with chronic heart failure undergoing inpatient cardiac rehabilitation: study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial}, series = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, journal = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2261-13-60}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96852}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background Chronic heart failure requires a complex treatment regimen on a life-long basis. Therefore, self-care/self-management is an essential part of successful treatment and comprehensive patient education is warranted. However, specific information on program features and educational strategies enhancing treatment success is lacking. This trial aims to evaluate a patient-oriented and theory-based self-management educational group program as compared to usual care education during inpatient cardiac rehabilitation in Germany. Methods/Design The study is a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial in four cardiac rehabilitation clinics. Clusters are patient education groups that comprise HF patients recruited within 2 weeks after commencement of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Cluster randomization was chosen for pragmatic reasons, i.e. to ensure a sufficient number of eligible patients to build large-enough educational groups and to prevent contamination by interaction of patients from different treatment allocations during rehabilitation. Rehabilitants with chronic systolic heart failure (n = 540) will be consecutively recruited for the study at the beginning of inpatient rehabilitation. Data will be assessed at admission, at discharge and after 6 and 12 months using patient questionnaires. In the intervention condition, patients receive the new patient-oriented self-management educational program, whereas in the control condition, patients receive a short lecture-based educational program (usual care). The primary outcome is patients' self-reported self-management competence. Secondary outcomes include behavioral determinants and self-management health behavior (symptom monitoring, physical activity, medication adherence), health-related quality of life, and treatment satisfaction. Treatment effects will be evaluated separately for each follow-up time point using multilevel regression analysis, and adjusting for baseline values. Discussion This study evaluates the effectiveness of a comprehensive self-management educational program by a cluster randomized trial within inpatient cardiac rehabilitation in Germany. Furthermore, subgroup-related treatment effects will be explored. Study results will contribute to a better understanding of both the effectiveness and mechanisms of a self-management group program as part of cardiac rehabilitation.}, language = {en} } @article{SemrauHentschkeBuchmannetal.2015, author = {Semrau, Jana and Hentschke, Christian and Buchmann, Jana and Meng, Karin and Vogel, Heiner and Faller, Hermann and Bork, Hartmut and Pfeifer, Klaus}, title = {Long-term effects of interprofessional biopsychosocial rehabilitation for adults with chronic non-specific low back pain: a multicentre, quasi-experimental study}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/ journal.pone.0118609}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143594}, pages = {e0118609}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background Improvement of the long-term effectiveness of multidisciplinary ortho-paedic rehabilitation (MOR) in the management of chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) remains a central issue for health care in Germany. We developed an interprofessional and interdisciplinary, biopsychosocial rehabilitation concept named "PASTOR" to promote self-management in adults with CLBP and compared its effectiveness with the current model of MOR. Methods A multicentre quasi-experimental study with three measurement time points was implemented. 680 adults aged 18 to 65 with CLBP were assed for eligibil-ity in three inpatient rehabilitation centres in Germany. At first the effects of the MOR, with a total extent of 48 hours (control group), were assessed. Thereafter, PASTOR was implemented and evaluated in the same centres (intervention group). It consisted of six interprofessional modules, which were provided on 12 days in fixed groups, with a total extent of 48 hours. Participants were assessed with self-report measures at baseline, discharge, and 12 months for functional ability (primary outcome) using the Hannover Functional Ability Questionnaire (FFbH-R) and vari-ous secondary outcomes (e.g. pain, health status, physical activity, pain coping, pain-related cognitions). Results In total 536 participants were consecutively assigned to PASTOR (n=266) or MOR (n=270). At 12 months, complete data of 368 participants was available. The adjusted between-roup difference in the FFbH-R at 12 months was 6.58 (95\% CI 3.38 to 9.78) using complete data and 3.56 (95\% CI 0.45 to 6.67) using available da-ta, corresponding to significant small-to-medium effect sizes of d=0.42 (p<0.001) and d=0.10 (p=0.025) in favour of PASTOR. Further improvements in secondary out-comes were also observed in favour of PASTOR. Conclusion The interprofessional and interdisciplinary, biopsychosocial rehabilita-tion program PASTOR shows some improvements of the long-term effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation in the management of adults with CLBP. Further insights into mechanisms of action of complex intervention programs are required.}, language = {en} } @article{RauchSalzwedelBjarnasonWehrensetal.2021, author = {Rauch, Bernhard and Salzwedel, Annett and Bjarnason-Wehrens, Birna and Albus, Christian and Meng, Karin and Schmid, Jean-Paul and Benzer, Werner and Hackbusch, Matthes and Jensen, Katrin and Schwaab, Bernhard and Altenberger, Johann and Benjamin, Nicola and Bestehorn, Kurt and Bongarth, Christa and D{\"o}rr, Gesine and Eichler, Sarah and Einwang, Hans-Peter and Falk, Johannes and Glatz, Johannes and Gielen, Stephan and Grilli, Maurizio and Gr{\"u}nig, Ekkehard and Guha, Manju and Hermann, Matthias and Hoberg, Eike and H{\"o}fer, Stefan and Kaemmerer, Harald and Ladwig, Karl-Heinz and Mayer-Berger, Wolfgang and Metzendorf, Maria-Inti and Nebel, Roland and Neidenbach, Rhoia Clara and Niebauer, Josef and Nixdorff, Uwe and Oberhoffer, Renate and Reibis, Rona and Reiss, Nils and Saure, Daniel and Schlitt, Axel and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and K{\"a}nel, Roland von and Weinbrenner, Susanne and Westphal, Ronja}, title = {Cardiac rehabilitation in German speaking countries of Europe — evidence-based guidelines from Germany, Austria and Switzerland LLKardReha-DACH — Part 1}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {10}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, number = {10}, issn = {2077-0383}, doi = {10.3390/jcm10102192}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239709}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: Although cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) is well accepted in general, CR-attendance and delivery still considerably vary between the European countries. Moreover, clinical and prognostic effects of CR are not well established for a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The guidelines address all aspects of CR including indications, contents and delivery. By processing the guidelines, every step was externally supervised and moderated by independent members of the "Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany" (AWMF). Four meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic effect of CR after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), after coronary bypass grafting (CABG), in patients with severe chronic systolic heart failure (HFrEF), and to define the effect of psychological interventions during CR. All other indications for CR-delivery were based on a predefined semi-structured literature search and recommendations were established by a formal consenting process including all medical societies involved in guideline generation. Results: Multidisciplinary CR is associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality in patients after ACS and after CABG, whereas HFrEF-patients (left ventricular ejection fraction <40\%) especially benefit in terms of exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. Patients with other cardiovascular diseases also benefit from CR-participation, but the scientific evidence is less clear. There is increasing evidence that the beneficial effect of CR strongly depends on "treatment intensity" including medical supervision, treatment of cardiovascular risk factors, information and education, and a minimum of individually adapted exercise volume. Additional psychologic interventions should be performed on the basis of individual needs. Conclusions: These guidelines reinforce the substantial benefit of CR in specific clinical indications, but also describe remaining deficits in CR-delivery in clinical practice as well as in CR-science with respect to methodology and presentation.}, language = {en} } @article{MusekampSchulerSeekatzetal.2017, author = {Musekamp, Gunda and Schuler, Michael and Seekatz, Bettina and Bengel, J{\"u}rgen and Faller, Hermann and Meng, Karin}, title = {Does improvement in self-management skills predict improvement in quality of life and depressive symptoms? A prospective study in patients with heart failure up to one year after self-management education}, series = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, number = {51}, doi = {10.1186/s12872-017-0486-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-157501}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: Heart failure (HF) patient education aims to foster patients' self-management skills. These are assumed to bring about, in turn, improvements in distal outcomes such as quality of life. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that change in self-reported self-management skills observed after participation in self-management education predicts changes in physical and mental quality of life and depressive symptoms up to one year thereafter. Methods: The sample comprised 342 patients with chronic heart failure, treated in inpatient rehabilitation clinics, who received a heart failure self-management education program. Latent change modelling was used to analyze relationships between both short-term (during inpatient rehabilitation) and intermediate-term (after six months) changes in self-reported self-management skills and both intermediate-term and long-term (after twelve months) changes in physical and mental quality of life and depressive symptoms. Results: Short-term changes in self-reported self-management skills predicted intermediate-term changes in mental quality of life and long-term changes in physical quality of life. Intermediate-term changes in self-reported self-management skills predicted long-term changes in all outcomes.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwaabBjarnasonWehrensMengetal.2021, author = {Schwaab, Bernhard and Bjarnason-Wehrens, Birna and Meng, Karin and Albus, Christian and Salzwedel, Annett and Schmid, Jean-Paul and Benzer, Werner and Metz, Matthes and Jensen, Katrin and Rauch, Bernhard and B{\"o}nner, Gerd and Brzoska, Patrick and Buhr-Schinner, Heike and Charrier, Albrecht and Cordes, Carsten and D{\"o}rr, Gesine and Eichler, Sarah and Exner, Anne-Kathrin and Fromm, Bernd and Gielen, Stephan and Glatz, Johannes and Gohlke, Helmut and Grilli, Maurizio and Gysan, Detlef and H{\"a}rtel, Ursula and Hahmann, Harry and Herrmann-Lingen, Christoph and Karger, Gabriele and Karoff, Marthin and Kiwus, Ulrich and Knoglinger, Ernst and Krusch, Christian-Wolfgang and Langheim, Eike and Mann, Johannes and Max, Regina and Metzendorf, Maria-Inti and Nebel, Roland and Niebauer, Josef and Predel, Hans-Georg and Preßler, Axel and Razum, Oliver and Reiss, Nils and Saure, Daniel and von Schacky, Clemens and Sch{\"u}tt, Morten and Schultz, Konrad and Skoda, Eva-Maria and Steube, Diethard and Streibelt, Marco and St{\"u}ttgen, Martin and St{\"u}ttgen, Michaela and Teufel, Martin and Tschanz, Hansueli and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Vogel, Heiner and Westphal, Ronja}, title = {Cardiac rehabilitation in German speaking countries of Europe — evidence-based guidelines from Germany, Austria and Switzerland LLKardReha-DACH — part 2}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {10}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, number = {14}, issn = {2077-0383}, doi = {10.3390/jcm10143071}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-242645}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: Scientific guidelines have been developed to update and harmonize exercise based cardiac rehabilitation (ebCR) in German speaking countries. Key recommendations for ebCR indications have recently been published in part 1 of this journal. The present part 2 updates the evidence with respect to contents and delivery of ebCR in clinical practice, focusing on exercise training (ET), psychological interventions (PI), patient education (PE). In addition, special patients' groups and new developments, such as telemedical (Tele) or home-based ebCR, are discussed as well. Methods: Generation of evidence and search of literature have been described in part 1. Results: Well documented evidence confirms the prognostic significance of ET in patients with coronary artery disease. Positive clinical effects of ET are described in patients with congestive heart failure, heart valve surgery or intervention, adults with congenital heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Specific recommendations for risk stratification and adequate exercise prescription for continuous-, interval-, and strength training are given in detail. PI when added to ebCR did not show significant positive effects in general. There was a positive trend towards reduction in depressive symptoms for "distress management" and "lifestyle changes". PE is able to increase patients' knowledge and motivation, as well as behavior changes, regarding physical activity, dietary habits, and smoking cessation. The evidence for distinct ebCR programs in special patients' groups is less clear. Studies on Tele-CR predominantly included low-risk patients. Hence, it is questionable, whether clinical results derived from studies in conventional ebCR may be transferred to Tele-CR. Conclusions: ET is the cornerstone of ebCR. Additional PI should be included, adjusted to the needs of the individual patient. PE is able to promote patients self-management, empowerment, and motivation. Diversity-sensitive structures should be established to interact with the needs of special patient groups and gender issues. Tele-CR should be further investigated as a valuable tool to implement ebCR more widely and effectively.}, language = {en} } @article{HessMengSchulteetal.2022, author = {Heß, Verena and Meng, Karin and Schulte, Thomas and Neuderth, Silke and Bengel, J{\"u}rgen and Faller, Hermann and Schuler, Michael}, title = {Decreased mental health, quality of life, and utilization of professional help in cancer patients with unexpressed needs: A longitudinal analysis}, series = {Psycho-Oncology}, volume = {31}, journal = {Psycho-Oncology}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1002/pon.5856}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-257662}, pages = {725-734}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Cancer patients' mental health and quality of life can be improved through professional support according to their needs. In previous analyses of the UNSAID study, we showed that a relevant proportion of cancer patients did not express their needs during the admission interview of inpatient rehabilitation. We now examine trajectories of mental health, quality of life, and utilization of professional help in cancer patients with unexpressed needs. Methods We enrolled 449 patients with breast, prostate, and colon cancer at beginning (T0) and end (T1) of a 3-week inpatient rehabilitation and 3 (T2) and 9 (T3) months after discharge. We explored depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), emotional functioning (EORTC QLQ-C30), fear of progression (FoP-Q-SF), and global quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) using structuring equation models. Furthermore, we evaluated self-reports about expressing needs and utilization of professional help at follow-up. Results Patients with unexpressed needs (24.3\%, n = 107) showed decreased mental health compared to other patients (e.g., depression: d T0 = 0.32, d T1-T3 = 0.39). They showed a significant decline in global quality of life at discharge and follow-up (d = 0.28). Furthermore, they had a higher need for support (Cramer's V T2 = 0.10, T3 = 0.15), talked less about their needs (Cramer's V T2 = 0.18), and made less use of different health care services at follow-up. Conclusion Unexpressed needs in cancer patients may be a risk factor for decreased mental health, quality of life, and non-utilization of professional help in the long term. Further research should clarify causal relationships and focus on this specific group of patients to improve cancer care.}, language = {en} } @article{HessMengSchulteetal.2020, author = {Heß, Verena and Meng, Karin and Schulte, Thomas and Neuderth, Silke and Bengel, J{\"u}rgen and Faller, Hermann and Schuler, Michael}, title = {Prevalence and predictors of cancer patients' unexpressed needs in the admission interview of inpatient rehabilitation}, series = {Psycho-Oncology}, volume = {29}, journal = {Psycho-Oncology}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1002/pon.5450}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228369}, pages = {1549 -- 1556}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Objective The admission interview in oncological inpatient rehabilitation might be a good opportunity to identify cancer patients' needs present after acute treatment. However, a relevant number of patients may not express their needs. In this study, we examined (a) the proportion of cancer patients with unexpressed needs, (b) topics of unexpressed needs and reasons for not expressing needs, (c) correlations of not expressing needs with several patient characteristics, and (d) predictors of not expressing needs. Methods We enrolled 449 patients with breast, prostate, and colon cancer at beginning and end of inpatient rehabilitation. We obtained self-reports about unexpressed needs and health-related variables (quality of life, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, and health literacy). We estimated frequencies and conducted correlation and ordinal logistic regression analyses. Results A quarter of patients stated they had "rather not" or "not at all" expressed all relevant needs. Patients mostly omitted fear of cancer recurrence. Most frequent reasons for not expressing needs were being focused on physical consequences of cancer, concerns emerging only later, and not knowing about the possibility of talking about distress. Not expressing needs was associated with several health-related outcomes, for example, emotional functioning, adjustment disorder, fear of progression, and health literacy. Depression measured at the beginning of rehabilitation showed only small correlations and is therefore not sufficient to identify patients with unexpressed needs. Conclusions A relevant proportion of cancer patients reported unexpressed needs in the admission interview. This was associated with decreased mental health. Therefore, it seems necessary to support patients in expressing needs.}, language = {en} } @article{NeubertSchlechtMengetal.2023, author = {Neubert, Sven and Schlecht, Sina and Meng, Karin and Rabe, Antonia and Jentschke, Elisabeth}, title = {Effects of a video sequence based intervention on anxiety, fatigue and depression in cancer patients: results of a randomized controlled trial}, series = {Integrative Cancer Therapies}, volume = {22}, journal = {Integrative Cancer Therapies}, issn = {1552-695X}, doi = {10.1177/15347354231153172}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304581}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background: Cancer patients often suffer from psychological symptoms and need psychological support. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, eHealth interventions might be helpful to overcome the obstacles of the pandemic. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a video sequence-based eHealth intervention on anxiety, fatigue, and depression in cancer patients. Methods: Patients (N = 157) with different tumor entities were randomly assigned to the video intervention group (IG) and the waiting control group (CG). Patients in the IG received a video intervention comprising 8 video sequences over 4 weeks. The videos included psychoeducation on distress and psychological symptoms, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy elements, and Yoga and Qigong exercises. Patients' anxiety and fear of progression (primary outcomes) and secondary outcomes were assessed before randomization (T1) and after the end of the intervention for IG or the waiting period for CG (T2) using self-reported questionnaires (GAD-7, PA-F-KF, EORTC QLQ-FA12, PHQ-8). Results: Patients of the IG showed no significant improvement in anxiety (GAD-7; P = .75), fear of progression (FoP-Q-SF; P = .29), fatigue (EORTC QLQ-FA12; P = .72), and depression (PHQ-8; P = .95) compared to patients in the waiting CG. However, symptoms of anxiety, fatigue, and depression decreased in both groups. Exploratory subgroup analysis regarding sex, therapy status, therapy goal, and tumor entity showed no effects. Overall, the intervention had a high level of acceptance. Conclusions: The video intervention was ineffective in reducing the psychological burden compared to a waiting CG. The findings support prior observations of the value of therapeutic guidance and promoting self-management for improving patients' psychological burdens. Further studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of psycho-oncological eHealth delivered through video sequences.}, language = {en} }