At Specialised Health, we believe in continuous improvement. After each program finishes, we ask our customers for their feedback, including one pivotal question: “How could we have done better?” Remarkably, a recurring response echoes in our ears: “I just wish I could have started exercise physiology sooner.”
But it’s not just our customers who underscore the importance of early intervention; we wholeheartedly agree, and the research resonates.
Why Early Interventions Matter
Before we delve into recent research findings, let’s explore the key benefits of timely referrals:
Minimise Strength Loss
Commencing rehabilitation or intervention early serves as a shield against strength loss, ensuring that individuals preserve their physical capabilities and independence to a remarkable degree.
Decrease Chance of Developing Chronic Pain
Early referrals act as a potent deterrent against the development of chronic pain and fear-related behaviours, sparing individuals from long-term suffering and psychological distress.
Take Advantage of Higher Motivation
Early referrals harness the innate motivation that burns brightest in the early stages of health conditions. Individuals are more receptive and proactive, amplifying the effectiveness of therapies and interventions.
Maintain Confidence
Timely referrals bolster patients’ confidence in both the healthcare system and their own recovery journey. This boost leads to improved mental well-being and resilience throughout the treatment process.
Decrease the Length of Rehab
Early intervention not only accelerates recovery but also reduces the overall rehabilitation time, offering a cost-effective solution.
The Research in review
Although trustworthy, we don’t expect you to take our word for it. According to recent research, these points track – the benefits of early intervention spanning a diverse range of conditions.
In the realm of neurorehabilitation, research has unearthed that early treatment significantly enhances cognitive, motor, communication, and psychosocial functioning, culminating in better overall outcomes (2). This theme resonates in stroke rehabilitation, where studies have observed that early initiation of rehabilitation leads to improved functional outcomes (3). This is true for fatigue-related conditions also, with a recent meta-analysis identifying that the delayed interventions result in further declines in physical function, increasing the likelihood of negative outcomes (5).
Amongst the considerable research in cancer care, early interventions are also recommended. Suggesting that early engagement is best following all types of treatment. In fact, studies find that when appropriate, even exercise during chemotherapy will reduce immediate issues like fatigue and muscle loss and also enrich long-term quality of life(4). And of course, the space where we receive this feedback the most – musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Research underscores the importance of early rehabilitation, studies revealing that initiating rehabilitation promptly significantly shortens recovery (without increasing the risk of reinjury), likely due to the reasons we listed above(1)!
Now is better than never!
While early intervention is undoubtedly ideal, it’s crucial to remember that even earlier interventions are more beneficial than no intervention at all. So, if you find yourself pondering over a customer’s situation, don’t hesitate for too long.
We wholeheartedly invite you to reach out and make the most of a timely referral. Your proactive action can make a world of difference in their journey towards better health and function.
Author: Tessa Nielsen
Clinical Exercise Physiologist and
Content Creator at Specialised Health
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References:
1.Bayer, M. L., Magnusson, S. P., & Kjaer, M. (2017). Early versus Delayed Rehabilitation after Acute Muscle Injury. The New England Journal of Medicine, 377(13), 1300–1301. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmc1708134
2.León-Carrión, J., Machuca-Murga, F., Solís-Marcos, I., León-Domínguez, U., & Del Rosario Domínguez-Morales, M. (2013). The sooner patients begin neurorehabilitation, the better their functional outcome. Brain Injury, 27(10), 1119–1123. https://doi.org/10.3109/02699052.2013.804204
3.Lynch, E., Hillier, S., & Cadilhac, D. A. (2014). When Should Physical Rehabilitation Commence after Stroke: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Stroke, 9(4), 468–478. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijs.12262
4.Van Der Schoot, G. G., Ormel, H. L., Westerink, N. L., May, A. M., Elias, S. G., Hummel, Y. M., Lefrandt, J. D., Van Der Meer, P., Van Melle, J. P., Poppema, B. J., Stel, J., Van Der Velden, A. W., Vrieling, A. H., Wempe, J. B., Wolde, M. G. T., Nijland, M., De Vries, E. G., Gietema, J. A., & Walenkamp, A. (2022). Optimal timing of a physical exercise intervention to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. JACC: Cardiooncology, 4(4), 491–503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccao.2022.07.006
5.Knoop, V., Cloots, B., Costenoble, A., Debain, A., Azzopardi, R. V., Vermeiren, S., Jansen, B., Scafoglieri, A., Bautmans, I., Bautmans, I., Verté, D., Beyer, I., Petrovic, M., De Donder, L., Kardol, T., Rossi, G., Clarys, P., Scafoglieri, A., Cattrysse, E., . . . Jansen, B. (2021). Fatigue and the prediction of negative health outcomes: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Ageing Research Reviews, 67, 101261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2021.101261