[Health-related control belief and quality of life in chronically ill patients after a behavioral intervention in an integrative medicine clinic--an observational study].

Background: In 1999 the Clinic for Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine was founded in Essen as a regular part of the German inpatient health care system. Integrative medicine (standard internal medicine, evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine combined with intensified lifestyle modification) aims to help patients with chronic illness to cope with their condition more effectively and to achieve a health-promoting lifestyle. Techniques include cognitive restructuring, the elicitation of the relaxation response, and lifestyle education. The goal is to increase health-related quality of life (QoL) as well as control beliefs and to reduce morbidity in later life.

Aim: To demonstrate changes in quality of life, lifestyle, and control beliefs after a two-week hospital stay.

Methods: Uncontrolled prospective observational study with 557 consecutive hospital patients. Outcome parameters were quality of life (SF36), control beliefs (GKU), and daily health-related behavior (nutrition, physical activity, relaxation) on admission, at discharge, as well as 3 and 6 months after discharge.

Results: Weekly physical activity increases by 29%, consumption of not recommendable foods decreases by 18%. The majority of patients (57%) engage in relaxation exercises 6 months after discharge (on admission 23%). The physical sum scale (SF36) increases from 33.9 (95% KI 32.5-35.3) on admission to 37.3 (35.8-38.9) 6 months after discharge, the mental sum scale from 41.2 (39.5-42.9) to 45.1 (43.5-46.7). The ratio internal/external control belief rises from 1.17 (95% KI 1.11-1.24) to 1.32 (1.24-1.40). Pretherapeutic ratio internal/external control belief and its increase are associated with rises in QoL.

Conclusions: After integrative medicine treatment a lasting increase in QoL and lifestyle changes can be achieved. Reinforcement of internal control beliefs and own competence is possible and enhances outcomes in chronically ill patients.