Expectations Regarding Gastein Healing Gallery Treatment and Their Connection to Health-Related Quality of Life

Toussaint, Loren; Huynh, Kien; Kohls, Niko; Sirois, Fuschia; Alberts, Hannah; Hirsch, Jameson; Hanshans, Christian; Nguyen, Quang Anh; van der Zee-Neuen, Antje; Offenbaecher, Martin

Abstract

The present study examines connections between patient expectations and health-related quality of life. We explore a key distinction between expectations about general health and expectations for functional improvement. Patients were 1444 individuals with multiple conditions experiencing chronic pain who were seeking treatment at the Gastein Healing Gallery in Böckstein, near Bad Gastein, Austria. In addition to measures of expectations, patients completed measures of pain, mental and physical health, life satisfaction, fatigue, and sleep problems. Structural equation models were used to fit a latent variable model where both expectation variables were used to predict health-related quality of life. Results showed that expectations regarding potential functional improvement resulting from treatments at the Gastein Healing Gallery were associated with improved health-related quality of life. Expectations about general health improvements related to treatment were not associated with health-related quality of life. To facilitate optimal healing, clinicians may decide to emphasize expectations about functional recovery when discussing treatment methods similar to those offered at the Gastein Healing Gallery, and in so doing, health-related quality of life may benefit.

Citation

Toussaint, L., Huynh, K., Kohls, N., Sirois, F., Alberts, H., Hirsch, J., …Offenbaecher, M. (2023). Expectations Regarding Gastein Healing Gallery Treatment and Their Connection to Health-Related Quality of Life. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(7), Article 5426. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075426

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 29, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Apr 6, 2023
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Nov 8, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 8, 2023
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1661-7827
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 7
• Article Number: 5426
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075426
• Keywords: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1901813