Patients with neuromuscular diseases benefit from treatment in a warm climate

Patients with neuromuscular diseases benefit from treatment in a warm climate

Several studies have shown positive effects of treatment of chronic diseases in a warm climate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of a 4-week rehabilitation programme in a warm climate for patients with neuromuscular diseases. A randomized controlled trial with a cross-over...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta dermato-venereologica Vol. 39; no. 7; pp. 554 - 559
Main Authors: Nordby, Petra A, Staalesen Strumse, Yndis A, Frøslie, Kathrine F, Stanghelle, Johan K
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Sweden 01-09-2007
Subjects:
Adult
Chronic diseases
Climate
Clinical outcomes
Cross-Over Studies
Female
Hot weather
Humans
Life satisfaction
Long term effects
Male
Middle Aged
Neuromuscular Diseases - physiopathology
Neuromuscular Diseases - psychology
Neuromuscular Diseases - rehabilitation
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Rehabilitation
Temperature
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Several studies have shown positive effects of treatment of chronic diseases in a warm climate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of a 4-week rehabilitation programme in a warm climate for patients with neuromuscular diseases. A randomized controlled trial with a cross-over design. One period of intervention and one period of "life as usual". A total of 60 persons with a neuromuscular diagnosis. Long-term effects were defined as changes in physical and psychological functions persisting after 3 months. Several scales were used according to the World Health Organization's classification of functioning. A comparison of the changes in the 2 periods showed significantly better results for all primary outcome scales in favour of the intervention. Mean difference in changes in pain (VAS scale), 6-min walking test and "timed up and go" were 9.0 (SD 28.8) units, 52 (75) m and 1.0 (2.3) sec, p = 0, 03, < 0.01 and 0.01, respectively. Median difference in changes in "Fatigue Severity Scale" and "Life Satisfaction Scale" were 0.4 (-0.5, 1.7) and 0.0 (0.0, 1.0), p = < 0.01 and 0.01, respectively. This study shows positive long-term effects on different dimensions of health after a 4-week rehabilitation programme in a warm climate for patients with neuromuscular diseases. This effect might be due to the programme, the warm climate, or a combination of both.
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ISSN:1650-1977
0001-5555
DOI:10.2340/16501977-0088