Influence of Physical Activity on Pain, Depression and Quality of Life of Patients in Palliative Care: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Introduction: Palliative care not only focuses on physical ailments associated with the disease, but also considers the psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patients. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of physical activity on palliative care patients, with special regard to th...
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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author | Dariusz Myrcik Wojciech Statowski Magdalena Trzepizur Antonella Paladini Oscar Corli Giustino Varrassi |
author_facet | Dariusz Myrcik Wojciech Statowski Magdalena Trzepizur Antonella Paladini Oscar Corli Giustino Varrassi |
author_sort | Dariusz Myrcik |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Introduction: Palliative care not only focuses on physical ailments associated with the disease, but also considers the psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patients. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of physical activity on palliative care patients, with special regard to the subjective assessment of severity of total pain and quality of life. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 92 palliative care patients either in a hospice or at home. The tool used to assess the patients was an original questionnaire focusing on the area of their independence and motor abilities. The study attempted to understand whether an appropriate physical activity and the instruction of palliative care patients and their families in the field of independence would improve the quality of life and reduce the intensity of total pain in the patients. Results: All of the patients were at an advanced stage of cancer. The survey at time “0”, conducted before the start of the instructions for patients and their relatives, showed that a majority of patients (47, 51.09%) often experienced limitations during the performance of daily activities. In the fourth visit, conducted one week after the fourth educational session, there was a significant increase in patients who did not experience any limitations in performing their daily activities or experienced them just sometimes. Conclusions: The ultimate effect of the proposed educational program on physical activity was an increase in the quality of life, a reduction in pain and a mood improvement. These results would need confirmation with more extensive studies. |
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format | Article |
id | doaj.art-1aaba21e9f1f4803bad7ce673118b817 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2077-0383 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:58:55Z |
publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
spelling | doaj.art-1aaba21e9f1f4803bad7ce673118b8172023-12-03T12:10:31ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832021-03-01105101210.3390/jcm10051012Influence of Physical Activity on Pain, Depression and Quality of Life of Patients in Palliative Care: A Proof-of-Concept StudyDariusz Myrcik0Wojciech Statowski1Magdalena Trzepizur2Antonella Paladini3Oscar Corli4Giustino Varrassi5Emergency Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 42-600 Bytom, PolandChair and Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, PolandEmergency Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 42-600 Bytom, PolandDepartment of MESVA, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyMario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research IRCCS, 20156 Milano, ItalyPaolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, 00193 Roma, ItalyIntroduction: Palliative care not only focuses on physical ailments associated with the disease, but also considers the psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patients. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of physical activity on palliative care patients, with special regard to the subjective assessment of severity of total pain and quality of life. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 92 palliative care patients either in a hospice or at home. The tool used to assess the patients was an original questionnaire focusing on the area of their independence and motor abilities. The study attempted to understand whether an appropriate physical activity and the instruction of palliative care patients and their families in the field of independence would improve the quality of life and reduce the intensity of total pain in the patients. Results: All of the patients were at an advanced stage of cancer. The survey at time “0”, conducted before the start of the instructions for patients and their relatives, showed that a majority of patients (47, 51.09%) often experienced limitations during the performance of daily activities. In the fourth visit, conducted one week after the fourth educational session, there was a significant increase in patients who did not experience any limitations in performing their daily activities or experienced them just sometimes. Conclusions: The ultimate effect of the proposed educational program on physical activity was an increase in the quality of life, a reduction in pain and a mood improvement. These results would need confirmation with more extensive studies.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/5/1012painpalliative caremobility programsphysiotherapyphysical exercisesquality of life |
spellingShingle | Dariusz Myrcik Wojciech Statowski Magdalena Trzepizur Antonella Paladini Oscar Corli Giustino Varrassi Influence of Physical Activity on Pain, Depression and Quality of Life of Patients in Palliative Care: A Proof-of-Concept Study Journal of Clinical Medicine pain palliative care mobility programs physiotherapy physical exercises quality of life |
title | Influence of Physical Activity on Pain, Depression and Quality of Life of Patients in Palliative Care: A Proof-of-Concept Study |
title_full | Influence of Physical Activity on Pain, Depression and Quality of Life of Patients in Palliative Care: A Proof-of-Concept Study |
title_fullStr | Influence of Physical Activity on Pain, Depression and Quality of Life of Patients in Palliative Care: A Proof-of-Concept Study |
title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Physical Activity on Pain, Depression and Quality of Life of Patients in Palliative Care: A Proof-of-Concept Study |
title_short | Influence of Physical Activity on Pain, Depression and Quality of Life of Patients in Palliative Care: A Proof-of-Concept Study |
title_sort | influence of physical activity on pain depression and quality of life of patients in palliative care a proof of concept study |
topic | pain palliative care mobility programs physiotherapy physical exercises quality of life |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/5/1012 |
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