Background ‘Kneipp Therapy’ (KT) is a form of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (CAM) that includes a combination of hydrotherapy, herbal medicine,
mind-body medicine, physical activities, and healthy eating. Since 2007, some
nursing homes for older adults in Germany began to integrate CAM in the form
of KT in care. The study investigated how KT is used in daily routine care and
explored the health status of residents and caregivers involved in KT. Methods
We performed a cross-sectional pilot study with a mixed methods approach that
collected both quantitative and qualitative data in four German nursing homes
in 2011. Assessments in the quantitative component included the Quality of
Life in Dementia (QUALIDEM), the Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12), the
Barthel-Index for residents and the Work Ability Index (WAI) and SF-12 for
caregivers. The qualitative component addressed the residents’ and caregivers’
subjectively experienced changes after integration of KT. It was
conceptualized as an ethnographic rapid appraisal by conducting participant
observation and semi-structured interviews in two of the four nursing homes.
Results The quantitative component included 64 residents (53 female, 83.2 ±
8.1 years (mean and SD)) and 29 caregivers (all female, 42.0 ± 11.7 years).
Residents were multimorbid (8 ± 3 diagnoses), and activities of daily living
were restricted (Barthel-Index 60.6 ± 24.4). The caregivers’ results indicated
good work ability (WAI 37.4 ± 5.1), health related quality of life was
superior to the German sample (SF-12 physical CSS 49.2 ± 8.0; mental CSS 54.1
± 6.6). Among both caregivers and residents, 89% considered KT to be positive
for well-being. The qualitative analysis showed that caregivers perceived
emotional and functional benefits from more content and calmer residents, a
larger variety in basic care practices, and a more self-determined scope of
action. Residents reported gains in attention and caring, and recognition of
their lay knowledge. Conclusion Residents showed typical characteristics of
nursing home inhabitants. Caregivers demonstrated good work ability. Both
reported to have benefits from KT. The results provide a good basis for future
projects, e.g. controlled studies to evaluate the effects of CAM in nursing
homes
