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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Main Authors: Dariusz Myrcik, Wojciech Statowski, Magdalena Trzepizur, Antonella Paladini, Oscar Corli, Giustino Varrassi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/5/1012
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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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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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