Effort Re-education Programme improves functionality in oncology patients with respiratory symptoms
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Key Takeaway
Note that Effort Re-education Programmes may improve functionality and reduce caregiver burden in oncology patients.
This stratified randomised clinical trial evaluated the impact of an Effort Re-education Programme (ERP) on oncology patients experiencing associated respiratory symptoms. The study included 65 participants and compared the ERP, delivered after hospital discharge, against conventional clinical practice (CCP). Assessments were conducted at baseline (discharge), 15 days, and one month post-discharge.
The primary outcome, functionality measured by the Barthel Index, showed significantly greater improvements in the ERP group with a mean change of +20.3 compared to +6.6 points in the control group (p < 0.001). Secondary outcomes also demonstrated significant between-group differences, including dyspnoea severity (mMRC) (p = 0.002), general performance status (ECOG) (p < 0.001), and caregiver burden (Zarit scale) (p < 0.001).
Regarding hospital utilization, the intervention group recorded 0 hospital readmissions during the follow-up period, and the length of hospital stay prior to discharge was shorter in the intervention group. Safety and tolerability data, including adverse events and discontinuation rates, were not reported.
These results support the integration of home-based ERP into discharge planning and continuity-of-care models for oncology patients. However, clinicians should note that specific effect sizes for secondary outcomes and long-term durability of these improvements were not reported.
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View Original Abstract ↓
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether an Effort Re-education Programme (ERP) delivered after hospital discharge yields greater improvements in functionality than Conventional Clinical Practice (CCP) in oncology patients with associated respiratory symptoms.
METHODS: A stratified randomised clinical trial was conducted including 65 oncology patients recruited during hospitalisation and followed after discharge. Participants were allocated to either CCP or CCP plus a home-based functional Effort Re-education Programme. Functionality (Barthel Index) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included dyspnoea severity (mMRC), general performance status (ECOG), and caregiver burden (Zarit scale). Assessments were performed at discharge (baseline), 15 days, and one month post-discharge.
RESULTS: Patients receiving ERP showed significantly greater improvements in functionality compared with the control group (mean change: + 20.3 vs. + 6.6 points; p < 0.001). Significant between-group differences were also observed for dyspnoea (p = 0.002), performance status (p < 0.001), and caregiver burden (p < 0.001). No hospital readmissions were recorded in the intervention group during follow-up. Length of hospital stay was shorter in the intervention group prior to discharge.
CONCLUSION: A home-based Effort Re-education Programme initiated at hospital discharge significantly improves functional outcomes, respiratory symptoms, and caregiver burden in oncology patients, supporting its integration into discharge planning and continuity-of-care models. The clinical trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06035263). Registration Date: 2023-11-01; 04:11 h.
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