Effects of a hospital based Wellness and Exercise program on quality of life of children with severe burns

Objective: To examine the effect of a 12-week Wellness and Exercise (W&E) program on the quality of life of pediatric burn survivors with burns of >= 40% total body surface area. We hypothesized this comprehensive regimen would improve physical and psychosocial outcomes. Methods: Children were recruited for participation upon their discharge from the ICU. They were not taking anabolic/cardiovascular agents. Seventeen children participated in the W&E group and 14 children in the Standard of Care (SOC) group. Quality of life was assessed with the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) at discharge and 3 months. Children completed the CHQ-CF 87 and caregivers completed the CHQ-PF 28. Results: The mean age of children in the W&E group was 14.07 +/- 3.5 years and mean TBSA was 58 +/- 11.8%. The mean age of children in the SOC group was 13.9 +/- 3.1 years and mean TBSA was 49 +/- 7.8%. ANOVA did not reveal statistically significant differences between the groups. Matched paired t-tests revealed that parents with children in the W&E group reported significant improvements with their children's physical functioning, role/social physical functioning, mental health, overall physical and psychosocial functioning after exercise. Conclusions: These results are clinically relevant in that a comprehensive W&E program may be beneficial in promoting physical and psychosocial outcomes. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.