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.