[Fractionated inpatient rehabilitation: results from a randomized controlled trial]

The aim of this study was to verify the assumption that fractionated inpatient rehabilitation (three weeks and another week at a future date) is superior to a four-week inpatient treatment for patients with rheumatic diseases (spondyloarthropathies, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis). This expectation was based on the evidence of only short-term effects of inpatient rehab. Fractionation was intended to prolong and consolidate the effects achieved by the three-week inpatient treatment. Altogether, both groups showed significant positive effects for pain-intensity, activity and state of physical health over a period of more than one year, but there were no statistical effects between the groups. Advantages of fractionated inpatient rehabilitation could not be confirmed.