Rath, H.M., Ullrich, A., Otto, U., Kerschgens, C., Raida, M., Hagen-Aukamp, C., . . . Bergelt, C. (2016). Psychosocial and physical outcomes of in- and outpatient rehabilitation in prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24, 2717–2726.
To examine the effects of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation (i.e., physical therapy, psycho-oncological treatment, patient education, medical treatment, group sessions) on quality of life and psychosocial outcomes
Patients who had radical prostatectomy participated in inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation within 14 days after completion of acute oncology treatment
PHASE OF CARE: Transition phase after active treatment
Subjects reported similar cognitive function scores at baseline and one year after rehabilitation. Cohen’s d was 0.51 and 0.54 respectively (both p < 0.001). They reported higher cognitive function at the end of rehabilitation (F [df 1.8, 1238.2] = 138.1, p < 0.001). Quality of life was higher at a one-year follow-up (p < 0.001). Anxiety was lower at the end of rehabilitation for inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation groups (p < 0.001). Depression was lower at end of rehabilitation and sustained at a one-year follow-up (p = 0.008).
The effect of structured rehabilitation on outcomes in this study was unclear, and no clear differences in outcomes based on whether patients received inpatient or outpatient rehab services were observed.
Rehabilitation, whether provided in an inpatient or outpatient setting, improved patients’ perception of quality of life, depression, anxiety, and cognitive function by the end of rehabilitation. Perceived improvements in quality of life and depression persisted at one year after treatment.