Impact of a Functional Intervention with Home Follow-Up on Respiratory Symptoms and Functionality in Oncology Patients: A Randomised Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether an Effort Re-education Programme (ERP) delivered after hospital discharge yields greater improvements in functionality than Conventional Clinical Practice (CCP) in oncology patients with associated respiratory symptoms.

METHODS

A stratified randomised clinical trial was conducted including 65 oncology patients recruited during hospitalisation and followed after discharge. Participants were allocated to either CCP or CCP plus a home-based functional Effort Re-education Programme. Functionality (Barthel Index) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included dyspnoea severity (mMRC), general performance status (ECOG), and caregiver burden (Zarit scale). Assessments were performed at discharge (baseline), 15 days, and one month post-discharge.

RESULTS

Patients receiving ERP showed significantly greater improvements in functionality compared with the control group (mean change: + 20.3 vs. + 6.6 points; p < 0.001). Significant between-group differences were also observed for dyspnoea (p = 0.002), performance status (p < 0.001), and caregiver burden (p < 0.001). No hospital readmissions were recorded in the intervention group during follow-up. Length of hospital stay was shorter in the intervention group prior to discharge.

CONCLUSION

A home-based Effort Re-education Programme initiated at hospital discharge significantly improves functional outcomes, respiratory symptoms, and caregiver burden in oncology patients, supporting its integration into discharge planning and continuity-of-care models. The clinical trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06035263). Registration Date: 2023-11-01; 04:11 h.