BACKGROUND. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy of classical massage treatment in reducing breast cancer-related symptoms and in improving mood disturbances. METHODS. Women diagnosed with primary breast cancer were randomized into an intervention group and a control group. For a period of 5 weeks, the intervention group received bi-weekly 30-min classical massages in the back and head-neck areas. The control group received no additional treatment to their routine healthcare. To evaluate treatment efficacy, the following validated questionnaires were administrated at baseline (T1), at the end of the intervention (T2), and at a followup at 11 weeks (T3): the Short Form-8 Health Survey, the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire breast module (EORTC QLQ-BR23), the Giessen Complaints Inventory (GBB), and the Berlin Mood Questionnaire (BSF). RESULTS. Eighty-six eligible women (mean age: 59 years) were enrolled in the study. A significantly higher reduction of physical discomfort was found in the intervention group compared with the control group at T2 (p=0.001) and at T3 (p=0.038). A decrease in fatigue was also observed. Women in the intervention group reported significantly lower mood disturbances at T2 (p<0.01) but not at T3. The effect of treatment on mood disturbances was significantly higher if a patient was treated continuously by the same masseur. CONCLUSION. Classical massage seems to be an effective adjuvant treatment for reducing physical discomfort and fatigue, and improving mood disturbances in women with early stage breast cancer.

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To investigate the efficacy of classical massage on stress perception and mood disturbances, 34 women diagnosed with primary breast cancer were randomized into an intervention or control group. For a period of 5 weeks, the intervention group (n = 17) received biweekly 30-min classical massages. The control group (n = 17) received no additional treatment to their routine health care. The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Berlin Mood Questionnaire (BSF) were used and the patients' blood was collected at baseline (T1), at the end of the intervention period (T2), and 6 weeks after T2 (T3). Compared with control group, women in the intervention group reported significantly lower mood disturbances, especially for anger (p = 0.048), anxious depression (p = 0.03) at T2, and tiredness at T3 (p = 0.01). No group differences were found in PSQ scales, cortisol and serotonin concentrations at T2 and T3. However, perceived stress and cortisol serum levels (p = 0.03) were significantly reduced after massage therapy (T2) compared with baseline in the intervention group. Further research is needed to validate our findings.

Massage therapy is an efficient treatment for reducing depression in breast cancer patients. Insignificant results concerning immunological parameters, stress, and mood indicate that further research is needed to determine psychological and immunological changes under massage therapy.

Objective: To investigate symptoms and functional impairment in women with secondary lymphoedema of the breast following surgical treatment and to assess the therapeutic benefit of treatment with low-intensity and extremely lowfrequency electrostatic fields (Deep Oscillation ® ), supplementing manual lymphatic drainage. Methods: Twenty-one patients were randomized either to the treatment group (n = 11): 12 sessions of manual lymphatic drainage supplemented by Deep Oscillation ® , or to the control group (n = 10): manual lymphatic drainage alone. Assessment included subjective pain and swelling evaluation, range of motion of the shoulder and the cervical spine, and analysis of breast volume using a 3D measuring system. Results: Patients had high pain and swelling scores at baseline. Shoulder mobility was impaired in all patients; restriction of cervical spine mobility was common at baseline and declined further in the control group. Deep Oscillation ® resulted in significant pain reduction in the treatment group. The subjective reported reduction of swelling in both groups was confirmed objectively by 3D measurement only in the treatment group. Conclusion: Additional Deep Oscillation® supplementary to manual lymphatic drainage can significantly enhance pain alleviation and swelling reduction in patients with secondary breast lymphoedema compared with manual lymphatic drainage alone.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) occurs almost exclusively in persons aged 50 years or older and it is the second most common inflammatory rheumatic disease in older people after rheumatoid arthritis. Since there are no specific tests for PMR, the exclusion of clinically similar differential diagnoses is essential to ascertain the diagnosis. These recommendations for the management of PMR assume an already established diagnosis of PMR. It is recommended to initiate treatment with glucocorticoids immediately after diagnosis and to provide appropriate patient information and education about the impact of the disease and its treatment. Methotrexate should be considered in patients at high risk for relapse and/or glucocorticoid-related adverse events. These guidelines have been elaborated because there is significant heterogeneity in the management of PMR in clinical practice in Germany (but also Europe and worldwide), despite the large number of patients with this disease. These guidelines are primarily based on the 2015 EULAR-ACR recommendations for the management of PMR, which were updated by the guideline committee and adapted to the German speaking countries.

Background: Dry skin reflects a skin barrier defect which can lead to atopic dermatitis. Little is known about the distinct effects of emollient use in children with dry skin and atopic predisposition. Objectives: We investigated the effects of daily application of pressed ice plant juice (PIPJ)-based emollients and petrolatum-based emollients. Methods: Children aged 2-6 years with dry skin and atopic predisposition were randomized into 2 groups: group 1 received emollients containing PIPJ and natural lipids, while group 2 received petrolatum-based emollients. Skin condition and biophysical properties of the skin barrier were assessed at inclusion and weeks 4, 12 and 16. Results: Skin condition improved significantly in all children. Comparing the groups, children treated with emollients containing PIPJ showed significantly higher stratum corneum hydration values and significantly lower transepidermal water loss values at week 16 on the forearm and forehead. A significant decrease in skin pH was noted in group 2 on the forearm and forehead; group 1 showed a stable course. Conclusion: Early intervention with emollients in children with dry skin condition and atopic predisposition may improve their skin condition during daily emollient application. PIPJ-based formulations may be helpful to maintain skin barrier integrity.

Zusammenfassung Dieses gemeinsame Positionspapier der 3 Fachgesellschaften Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Akutkrankenh?user mit Abteilungen f?r fach?bergreifende Fr?hrehabilitation (BAG Fr?hrehabilitation), Berufsverband der Rehabilitations?rzte Deutschlands (BVPRM) und Deutsche Gesellschaft f?r Physikalische Medizin und Rehabilitation (DGPMR) stellt den aktuellen Stand, die Perspektiven und notwendige Ma?nahmen zur Weiterentwicklung der fach?bergreifenden Fr?hrehabilitation dar. Fr?hrehabilitation ist die fr?hestm?glich einsetzende Therapie in Kombination aus akutmedizinischer und rehabilitationsmedizinischer Behandlung. Fr?hrehabilitation ist dabei als erstes Glied einer nahtlosen Rehabilitationskette zu verstehen, gleichzeitig integraler und gesetzlich geforderter Bestandteil der Krankenhausbehandlung. Die Notwendigkeit und die Bedeutung der Fr?hrehabilitation steigen durch die demografische und die medizinisch-technische Entwicklung. Internationale Richtlinien (WHO, EU) und die nationale Gesetzgebung begr?nden ein Recht auf Fr?hrehabilitation. Das Positionspapier grenzt die fach?bergreifende Fr?hrehabilitation von der Fr?hmobilisation und der postakuten Rehabilitation ab. Ferner erfolgt die Einordnung in den Kontext weiterer Formen der Fr?hrehabilitation. Die verschiedenen Arten der Leistungserbringung, im Besonderen die bettenf?hrenden Fr?hrehabilitationsstationen (Acute Rehabilitation Units) und die Behandlung durch ein dezentrales Fr?hrehabilitationsteam (Acute Rehabilitation Team), werden dargestellt. Ziele und Aufgaben sowie strukturelle und prozessuale Voraussetzungen werden definiert. Typische Indikationen werden synoptisch dargestellt und sowohl Indikationskriterien als auch Ausschlusskriterien f?r die Indikationsstellung zur Fr?hrehabilitation daraus abgeleitet. Die Versorgungsstruktur in Deutschland und regionale Unterschiede werden analysiert und Bedarfssch?tzungen gegen?bergestellt. Aus ?konomischer Sicht wird das Finanzierungssystem der Fr?hrehabilitation im DRG-System diskutiert, das den Ressourcenaufwand derzeit nur inad?quat abbildet. Auf der Grundlage dieser Analysen werden grunds?tzliche Forderungen abgeleitet und ein Katalog konkreter Ma?nahmen zur Weiterentwicklung der Fr?hrehabilitation vorgelegt. Bereits vorhandene Ans?tze der Fr?hrehabilitation im Akutkrankenhaus sollen gest?rkt werden. Gesetzliche Vorgaben sollen umgesetzt und eine fach?bergreifende, bedarfsgerechte Versorgung mit Leistungen der Fr?hrehabilitation sichergestellt werden.