Change of Symptom Severity and Functioning According to ICF in the In-Patient Psychosomatic Rehabilitation

Abstract

In this naturalistic study the changes of patients of an in-patient psychosomatic rehabilitation with regard to functioning and to symptom severity were examined. Self-evaluations of patients concerning their functioning (ICF AT-50 Psych) and their symptom severity (GSI) were elevated at 3 measurement periods: on admission (n=419), on discharge (n=354) and 6 months after discharge (n=297). Functioning as well as symptom severity improved from t1 to t2. With regard to functioning an improvement on global and specific scales was shown. From t2 to t3 the symptom severity increased lightly again, whereas the functioning level remained rather steady. Changes in symptom severity highly correlate with changes of functioning. The results point to the fact that psychosomatic rehabilitation has positive effects on functioning. While planning the therapy functioning as well as symptom severity should be considered. Controlled studies are needed.