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

Cancers · 9 authors, 3 centres

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TL;DR

This non-randomized controlled study compared a nature-based oncology day care clinic program to a conventional one in cancer patients. The nature-based group showed significantly greater improvements in quality of life, fatigue, and psychological well-being at 24 weeks compared to the conventional group.

Full summary

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This non-randomized controlled study assessed the effects of a nature-based versus conventional 12-week oncology day care clinic program in 107 cancer patients. The primary endpoint was the change in quality of life (FACT-G) from baseline to week 12, which showed no significant between-group difference. However, secondary analyses revealed that at 24 weeks, the nature-based group (NDC) had significantly higher scores for quality of life, fatigue, mindfulness, and self-compassion, and significantly lower insomnia scores at both 12 and 24 weeks compared to the conventional group. Both groups showed improvements in most outcomes. Limitations include the non-randomized design, potential group imbalances, a predominantly female and breast cancer population, and a mix of concurrent cancer treatments. The findings suggest positive effects of the day care clinic programs, with nature-based interventions appearing to have more pronounced benefits, warranting confirmation in randomized trials.

STUDY TYPE

cohort

SPECIALTY

oncology

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10527019

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

Cancers

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Simple Summary 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). However, there is sparse scientific research on the effects of natural environments in the treatment of cancer patients. Therefore, we integrated intensified nature experiences into the scientifically substantiated therapy approach of an oncology day care clinic program. This study aimed to compare the effects of a nature-based oncology day care clinic intervention to conventional oncology day care clinic intervention. A positive impact of the day care clinic program on QOL, fatigue, and psychological parameters in cancer patients was shown. In addition, NBIs seem to have more pronounced effects, which need to be further proven. Abstract 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. Keywords: cancer, day care, integrative medicine, lifestyle, MICOM, Mind–body Medicine, mindfulness, meditation, nature, oncology

CITATION EXPORT

Lisa Kuballa, Christian S Kessler, Farid I Kandil et al.. 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. Cancers. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15184595

AUTHORS

9 · 3 CENTRES

Lisa Kuballa, Christian S Kessler, Farid I Kandil, Christel von Scheidt, Meline Meinköhn, Barbara Koch, Manfred Wischnewsky, Andreas Michalsen, Michael Jeitler

1Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; [email protected] (C.S.K.); [email protected] (F.I.K.); [email protected] (M.M.); [email protected] (A.M.); [email protected] (M.J.)
2Department of Internal Medicine and Nature-Based Therapies, Immanuel Hospital Berlin, 14109 Berlin, Germany; [email protected] (C.v.S.); [email protected] (B.K.)
3Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany; [email protected]