Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2005; 10: 36–7
To implement fasting therapy in an inpatient integrative medicine ward and to evaluate safety, acceptance and effects on lifestyle adherence.
We conducted a prospective observational study with consecutive patients over 2.5 years in an integrative medicine department. All subjects were newly admitted inpatients with chronic internal diseases/pain syndromes and a hospital stay of > 3 days. Inclusion criteria to fasting therapy were checked by treating physicians and recommendations given. After receiving full information patients decided if they would participate in fasting. Fasting consisted of a 7-day juice fast (intake < 350kcal/day) with accompanying bowel cleansing and two pre-fast relief days and three building-up days. Outcomes (main complaint severity, quality-of-life (QoL, SF-36), safety and lifestyle adherence to recommendations given) were assessed on entry, at discharge, and 3 and 6 months after discharge.
Of 2121 patients with complete discharge questionnaires 952 patients participated in fasting and 873 had a normocaloric vegetarian diet. Two hundred and ninety-six patients had other diets and were excluded. Response rates were 71 and 56% at 3 and 6 months’ follow-up. The main disease-related complaint at discharge significantly greater improved in fasters vs. non-fasters (P < 0.01). QoL increased significantly and comparably in both groups at discharge and follow-up.
Fasting was well tolerated. Seven hundred and forty-three (78%) of fasting patients reported improvement of their health through fasting. Descriptors of lifestyle adherence showed higher levels of related activities in the 3 and 6 months’ follow-up.
Fasting can safely and successfully be implemented in an inpatient integrative medicine concept and is perceived as a health-promoting method by the majority of patients.
