• Marta Rosenberg, Mario M Celis, Walter Meyer, Lisa Tropez-Arceneaux, Serina J McEntire, Helen Fuchs, Lisa Richardson, Charles Holzer, David N Herndon, and Oscar E Suman.
• Shriners Hospitals for Children, Galveston, TX 77550, USA. marosenb@utmb.edu
• Burns. 2013 Jun 1; 39 (4): 599-609.

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of a 12-week Wellness and Exercise (W&E) program on the quality of life of pediatric burn survivors with burns of ≥40% total body surface area. We hypothesized this comprehensive regimen would improve physical and psychosocial outcomes.MethodsChildren were recruited for participation upon their discharge from the ICU. They were not taking anabolic/cardiovascular agents. Seventeen children participated in the W&E group and 14 children in the Standard of Care (SOC) group. Quality of life was assessed with the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) at discharge and 3 months. Children completed the CHQ-CF 87 and caregivers completed the CHQ-PF 28.ResultsThe mean age of children in the W&E group was 14.07±3.5 years and mean TBSA was 58±11.8%. The mean age of children in the SOC group was 13.9±3.1 years and mean TBSA was 49±7.8%. ANOVA did not reveal statistically significant differences between the groups. Matched paired t-tests revealed that parents with children in the W&E group reported significant improvements with their children's physical functioning, role/social physical functioning, mental health, overall physical and psychosocial functioning after exercise.ConclusionsThese results are clinically relevant in that a comprehensive W&E program may be beneficial in promoting physical and psychosocial outcomes.Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

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