"Im Moor zum inneren Gleichgewicht"

Development, implementation and evaluation of a 3-week secondary prevention program for people at risk of burnout, carried out in the moor spa of Bad Aibling

Description

The objective of our study was to develop, implement and evaluate a 3-week multimodal program combining stress management interventions with traditional health-resort treatments. The aim was to reduce currently perceived stress, create subjective resources, activate recovery processes for both body and mind and provide strategies for dealing with stressors encountered in everyday life.

Methods

Based on the scientific knowledge about stress management, with respect to chronobiologic aspects, a 3-week multimodal prevention program for people at risk of burnout (therapeutic elements: stress management, relaxation techniques, physical exercise, and mud baths) was designed.

The effects of the program were examined with pre-, post- and follow-up measurements (1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up) using a two-arm randomized controlled design with waiting control group. The extent of the subjective perception of stress (Perceived Stress Questionnaire - PSQ) at month 1, 3 and 6 were the primary endpoints of the study. Burnout-symptoms, well-being, general state of health / quality of life, frequency and severity of back pain, psychological symptoms, health-related behavior, and the number of days of incapacity to work were considered as secondary endpoints. Adults presenting with an above-average level of stress (PSQ_total > 50) and risk of burnout or incipient burnout syndrome (Emotional Exhaustion Scale [MBI-EE] of the MBI-GS-D 3.6–5.2) were included in the study.

Cooperation partners

• AIB-KUR Gesellschaft für Kur & Tourismus Bad Aibling mbH & Co. KG
• Cooperating sickness insurance institution: Barmer GEK
• Scientific partners: Psychosomatische Klinik Windach, Dr. med. Götz Berberich

Duration

May 2013 to April 2015

Funding

The study was funded by the Bavarian State Government. The costs of medical and therapeutic services were covered by Barmer GEK.

Responsibility

Prof. Dr. Dr. Angela Schuh
Head of the research unit Climatotherapy / Health Resorts - Health Services Research
Angela.Schuh@med.lmu.de

Contact

Dr. Marita Stier-Jarmer, MPH
Marita.Stier-Jarmer@med.lmu.de

Dipl. SpOec Dieter Frisch
Dieter.Frisch@med.lmu.de

Registration
German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS-ID: DRKS00009625