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Bauer N, Löffler C, Öznur Ö, Uecker C, Keil T, Langhorst J. Mind-body-medicine and comprehensive lifestyle-modification in patients with Crohn's disease—Feasibility of a randomized controlled trial under pandemic circumstances. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:960301. [PMID: 36081609 PMCID: PMC9447476 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.960301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mind-body medicine (MBM) focuses on stress reduction and lifestyle changes. The primary objective of this pilot trial was to test study feasibility of a complex integrative MBM program for patients with Crohn's disease (CD), especially in rural regions, and under pandemic conditions. Methods Patients were stratified and randomized to the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG). The intervention included a weekly 6-h session for 10 weeks. The CG (waiting list) received an initial 90-min workshop and started the intervention 9 months later. The primary outcome for study feasibility was recruitment and retention rates, as well as reasons for drop-out. The trial took place in Bamberg, Germany (September 2020 to December 2021). Results Totally 700 members of the German Crohn's and Colitis Organization—DCCV—were contacted. A total of 15% (102/700; 95% CI 12–17%) expressed interest to participate. Following screening, 41% (95% CI 32–50) were randomized to IG (n = 22) and CG (n = 20). The patients were on average (±standard deviation) 48 ± 13 years old, 67% were female, and have been suffering from CD for 20 ± 12 years. Patients traveled 71.5 ± 48.7 km (range: 9–227 km) to the intervention with no differences between IG and CG. At the 6-month follow-up, 36/42 (86%, 95% CI 74–95%) participants completed final assessment and 19/22 (86%, 95% CI 70–100%) the intervention. The most important reasons for non-responding were work-related (12/60; 20%) and for or drop-out pandemic-related anxiety (3/6). No patient and staff member became infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the study. Conclusion The feasibility of the MBM study was confirmed in terms of predefined recruitment and retention criteria, both despite difficult conditions (including the rural setting) and patients' fears associated with the pandemic. It was crucial to develop appropriate hygiene and safety concepts that enable chronically ill patients to participate in helpful group-based interventions even under pandemic conditions. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05182645.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Bauer
- Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Löffler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Özlem Öznur
- Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Christine Uecker
- Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Keil
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- State Institute of Health, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jost Langhorst
- Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Bamberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jost Langhorst
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Schlee C, Uecker C, Bauer N, Koch AK, Langhorst J. Multimodal stress reduction and lifestyle modification program for patients with ulcerative colitis: a qualitative study. BMC Complement Med Ther 2022; 22:60. [PMID: 35260152 PMCID: PMC8903167 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03478-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 2 million people in Europe are affected by ulcerative colitis, which often severely impacts the quality of life of those concerned. Among other factors, lifestyle and psychosocial factors seem to play an important role in pathogenesis and course of the disease and can be addressed as a complement to pharmacotherapy in comprehensive lifestyle modification programs. METHODS This qualitative study as part of a mixed methods approach was carried out in the framework of a randomized controlled trial that examined the effect of a comprehensive lifestyle-modification-program (10-week-day clinic program) on quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 out of 47 patients of the intervention group after the program. The aim was to deepen, supplement, and expand the quantitative results of the trial, i.e. to examine individual perceptions of the intervention, including subjective changes and the extent to which elements of the program were integrated into everyday life. Qualitative content analysis techniques utilizing the software MAXQDA were used. RESULTS Patients with ulcerative colitis in our sample often experienced multiple negative effects on different levels (physical, psychological, and social) and impaired quality of life because of their disease. They reported generally positively about the program itself, and emphasized perceived positive changes regarding their psychological and physical well-being. The interviews indicated a good implementation of elements learned during the intervention in everyday life. CONCLUSIONS Through participation in a comprehensive lifestyle modification program in the structure of a day clinic complementary to pharmacotherapy, patients with ulcerative colitis can reduce psychosocial stress and physical symptoms and thereby actively improve their well-being and general quality of life. This patient-centered, holistic approach was rated as useful in countering the complex disease manifestation as well as meeting the individual needs of the patients regarding their disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov NCT02721823.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schlee
- Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Buger Str. 80, 96049, Bamberg, Germany.,Department of Integrative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Buger Str. 80, 96049, Bamberg, Germany.,Department of Sociology, University of Bamberg, Feldkirchenstr. 21, 96052, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Christine Uecker
- Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Buger Str. 80, 96049, Bamberg, Germany.,Department of Integrative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Buger Str. 80, 96049, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Nina Bauer
- Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Buger Str. 80, 96049, Bamberg, Germany.,Department of Integrative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Buger Str. 80, 96049, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Anna K Koch
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Buger Str. 80, 96049, Bamberg, Germany.,Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Evang. Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Am Deimelsberg 34 a, 45276, Essen, Germany
| | - Jost Langhorst
- Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Buger Str. 80, 96049, Bamberg, Germany. .,Department of Integrative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Buger Str. 80, 96049, Bamberg, Germany.
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