The Impact of an Inpatient Family-Oriented Rehabilitation Program on Parent-Reported Psychological Symptoms of Chronically III Children

Objective: To investigate the change of psychological symptoms and quality of life in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease, cancer, or cystic fibrosis after a family-oriented inpatient rehabilitation program. Methods: 302 participants in the intervention (aged 4-17 years, mean=8.7) were assessed using standard questionnaires at admission to the rehabilitation program, at discharge, and 6 months post discharge. Parent-reported behavioral and emotional symptoms were compared to a healthy control group from the National Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (n=903). Results: At admission, 27.5% of patients showed abnormal levels on the total difficulties score of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire parent version (SDQ), while an additional 16.9% had slightly elevated symptoms (relative risk=2.16). Patients' psychological symptoms were negatively correlated with their quality of life (QoL) and with parental QoL. After rehabilitation, the patients' symptoms improved significantly, and the improvement persisted for 6 months ill those patients who could be followed. Conclusions: The rehabilitation program can be considered a promising strategy to improve the patients' psychological adaptation.