The professorship for rehabilitation medicine under the direction of Prof. Dr. Heinz Völler researches new concepts of prevention and rehabilitation of chronic degenerative diseases.
Among other things, the professorship focuses occupational reintegration and the sustainable care of elderly patients with limited mobility or malnutrition. The effectiveness of modern means of communication and the use of telemetric interventions are also being scientifically tested.
Above all, we are dedicated to interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral tasks within modern rehabilitation medicine. In this way, the development of new care models is driven forward both on the basis of intervention studies and within the framework of care research.
Another focus is participation in the development of research-based teaching in the FGW master’s programs “Public Health, Exercise and Nutrition” and “Health Services Research”.
Location: University of Potsdam, Am Mühlenberg 9, Building 62 (H-Lab), Office 205, 14476 Potsdam – Golm
The research work is carried out in a practical manner in the cooperating clinics. All represented specialties (cardiology/angiology, neurology, orthopaedics, haematology/oncology, gastroenterology, psychosomatics) as well as therapeutic areas (sports and physiotherapy, psychology, speech therapy, etc.) are included.
In addition, the different expertise of the employees, taking into account socio-medical aspects, allows us to do justice to the complexity of rehabilitation medicine. The development of interdisciplinary, target group-specific treatment concepts within medical rehabilitation is focused on as a scientific framework topic. The target group is defined as patients with an indication for rehabilitation in a specialist field and certain additional characteristics (e.g. certain age groups, comorbidities).
Within this framework, differentiated studies are carried out with a focus on epidemiology, stock evaluation, intervention, economics or health system research. For example, in cooperation with service providers, analyses are carried out with regard to expenditure (procedures) in order to work out a differentiated cost calculation with the need for different profiling of the individual care structures on the one hand and the individual rehabilitation clinics on the other.
Existing care structures are also evaluated in terms of their efficiency for specific patient groups and suitable interventions are developed if there is a proven need for optimization.
The project focuses on the professional reintegration of people at risk of disability following cardiac rehabilitation. In a randomized controlled approach, rehabilitants who are at considerable risk of being unable to work (detected via Würzburg screening) will receive telephone support and may be referred to a second rehabilitation phase three months after discharge from rehabilitation. This is carried out on a one-week inpatient basis and includes specific work-related and psychosocial diagnosis and intervention modules.
Funding: Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, federal program “Innovative ways to participate in working life – rehapro”
Cooperation: German Pension Insurance Berlin-Brandenburg; German Pension Insurance North; Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf; RehaCentrum Hamburg; University of Lübeck; Institute for Quality Assurance in Prevention and Rehabilitation GmbH
Contact Person: PD Dr. A. Salzwedel
According to the guideline on cardiac rehabilitation in German-speaking Europe – Germany, Austria and Switzerland (AWMF-LL-KardReha-DACH), patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) should choose an exercise intensity that does not exceed a systolic blood pressure of 160 mmHg. The recommended exercise intensities will be tested for their blood pressure response during different physical exercise conditions for patients with TAA or TAD.
The aim of this pilot project is to ensure that patients with TAA or TAD can rely on the training intensities in everyday life, work and sport even without monitoring by a blood pressure monitor.
Funding: Own funds of the professorship
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
SECURE – Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly
Randomized study on the use of a polypill as part of secondary prevention medication in patients with coronary heart disease over the age of 65. Inclusion of a total of 2,700 patients with a follow-up of 2 years (87 patients included in the Klinik am See). Research question: Does the use of a Polypill increase adherence and reduce the rate of recurrent cardiovascular events compared to several medications?
Funding: Centro Nacional de lnvestigaciones Cardiovasculares {CNIC), Madrid, Spain; HORIZON 2020 Progamme
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf; Dr. Valentin Fuster, Centro Nacional de lnvestigaciones Cardiovasculares {CNIC), Madrid, Spain; Prof. Dr. Dr. Wolfram Döhner, Charite – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
A randomized double„blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial assessing the impact of lipoprotein (a) lowering with TQJ230 on major cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease
People with a specific lipid metabolism disorder have a 2-3 times higher risk of suffering a first or repeat cardiovascular event if their lipoprotein(a) levels are elevated. While the level of Lp(a) could previously only be reduced by lipidapharesis, this is now possible with medication. In a multicentre, randomized phase III study, the effectiveness (reduction of CV events) is being tested in over 300 centers on over 3,000 patients. The Klinik am See has so far enrolled 18 of a possible 25 patients.
Funding: Novartis AG
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
CoroPrevention – A prospective clinical trial to evaluate the clinical value and costeffectiveness of a personalized prevention program (PPP) in patients with high risk stable Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
30 % of patients after an acute coronary event (ACS) suffer a repeat event in the first post-infarction year. In this study, biomarkers will be used to identify 2,000 out of 12,000 infarct patients who will receive personalized treatment over two years. Start of study postponed to 09/2021 due to the pandemic.
Funding: Tampere University; HORIZON 2020 program
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
HFT-R-Registry – Adhärenz zur medikamentösen Therapie bei Patienten mit HFrEF (systolischer Herzinsuffizienz) während der kardiologischen Rehabilitation sowie nach drei und sechs Monaten
The adherence to guideline-based therapy in patients with an ejection fraction < 40 % after rehabilitation over 6 months is examined. Inclusion of 100 patients at the Klinik am See.
Funding: Novartis AG
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf; Prof. Dr. med. habil Axel Schlitt, Paracelsus-Harz-Klinik Bad Suderode, Quedlinburg
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
Association of frailty phenotypes with peri-/postoperative outcomes and gene expression in older cardiac patients
Clinical observational study on the risk stratification of elderly cardiac surgery patients at the German Heart Center Berlin (DHZB) in cooperation with the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE), survey of the peri- and postoperative complication rate as well as the post-acute care pathways (i.e. rehabilitation, acute care, nursing care) depending on functional, nutritional and cognitive parameters of frailty
Registration with the German Register of Clinical Studies
Funding: Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg
Cooperation: Dr. Heike Vogel, German Institute of Nutritional Sciences Potsdam-Rehbrücke; Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Simon Sündermann, German Heart Center Berlin/Charité, University Medicine Berlin
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
The study aims to identify the factors that determine the subjective employment prospects and retirement expectations of patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The primary aim of the BessEr study is to further describe the individual determinants of a particular occupational problem situation (BBPL) from the patients’ perspective in order to determine the implications and recommendations for rehabilitation practice.
The study is based on qualitative individual interviews with patients during follow-up treatment in cardiac rehabilitation. It is expected that 20 patients with BBPL will be interviewed in the main sample and 5 patients without BBPL in the contrast sample. The study will run from October 2021 to February 2022.
Funding: Own funds of the professorship
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf
Contact Person: PD Dr. A. Salzwedel
The aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between frailty phenotypes and peri-/postoperative or interventional complications after cardiac surgery or TAVI in elderly patients (≥ 70 years).
By using the selected assessments (physical functionality, cognitive status, Mini Nutritional Assessment short-form (MNA®-SF), degree of sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2), parameters of frailty are identified that indicate an increased risk of peri-/postoperative complications in elderly patients. In addition, the correlation of muscle gene expression with frailty status will be investigated.
Funding: Own funds of the professorship
Cooperation: Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DifE)
Contact Person: PD Dr. A. Salzwedel
The aim of the project is to conduct a dedicated needs assessment of training and support services for rehabilitation-related skills and exchange opportunities for clinical staff in the healthcare professions in medical rehabilitation.
Funding: German Federal Pension Insurance
Cooperation: Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine
Contact Person: PD Dr. A. Salzwedel
Rehabilitation patients with BBPL have a significantly reduced probability of successful professional reintegration after rehabilitation.
The aim of this project is to analyze and explain the negative subjective employment prognosis of cardiological patients in follow-up rehabilitation as a complex surrogate. In a patient-centered approach, subjectively perceived support factors and barriers to the professional reintegration of cardiological, oncological and orthopedic patients with BBPL are determined and examined with regard to their indication-specific as well as generic characteristics in a qualitative comparative study.
Funding: German Federal Pension Insurance
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf; MEDICLIN Reha-Zentrum Spreewald, Burg
Contact Person: PD. Dr. A. Salzwedel
Funding: Own funds
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf
Contact Person: PD Dr. A. Salzwedel
Funding: German Federal Pension Insurance
Cooperation: DGPR, cardiac rehabilitation clinics
Contact Person: PD Dr. A. Salzwedel
Funding: ZIM – Central Innovation Program for SMEs, VDI/VDE/IT, Project Management Agency of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Cooperation: Fraunhofer FOKUS (consortium leader), Kardiologische Gemeinschaftspraxis am Park Sanssouci, GETEMED Medizin- und Informationstechnik, AGnova motum® Services & Consulting GmbH, Technische Universität Berlin, Department of Complex and Distributed IT Systems
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
Funding: German Pension Insurance Berlin-Brandenburg
Cooperations: Professorship for Sports Medicine and Sports Orthopaedics, University of Potsdam, Fraunhofer FOKUS, Brandenburg Klinik Bernau, MEDIAN Klinik Hoppegarten, Reha-Zentrum Lübben
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
Funding: AOK Nordost
Cooperation: Brandenburg Klinik, Bernau-Waldsiedlung; MEDIAN Kliniken Grünheide, Berlin-Kladow; RECURA Klinik Beelitz Heilstätten; Vivantes Klinikum Berlin-Spandau
Completion: III. quarter 2017
Contact Person: PD Dr. A. Salzwedel
Cooperation: Brandenburg Clinic, Bernau
Lyso- and sphingolipids and the metabolic syndrome
Cooperation: Chair of Nutritional Toxicology, University of Potsdam; Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf
Completion: II. quarter 2017
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
Cooperations: Sana Herzzentrum Cottbus, Mediclin Reha-Zentrum Spreewald, Klinik am See Rüdersdorf, Immanuel Klinikum Bernau, Brandenburgklinik Bernau
Conclusion: IV. Quarter 2016
Contact Person: Dr. S. Eichler
Funding: German Federal Pension Insurance
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf; Klinik Wolletzsee, Angermünde
Conclusion: IV. Quarter 2016
Contact Person: PD Dr. A. Salzwedel
Funding: German Federal Pension Insurance
Cooperation: Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf; Brandenburg Klinik Bernau-Waldsiedlung
Conclusion: IV. Quarter 2016
Contact Person: PD Dr. A. Salzwedel
Conclusion: IV. Quarter 2015
Cooperation: AOK Nordost
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
Cooperations: Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Pulmonology, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin; DRV Bund, DRV Berlin-Brandenburg, Knappschaft Bahn-See
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
HAMER – Häufigkeit multiresistenter Erreger in der Rehabilitationsmedizin
Funding: German Federal Pension Insurance
Cooperation: Brandenburg Klinik, Bernau-Waldsiedlung; Immanuel Klinik, Buckow; MediClin Reha-Zentrum Spreewald, Burg; Klinik am See, Rüdersdorf b. Berlin; University of Greifswald.
Completion: III. quarter 2016
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. H. Völler
Frailty as a predictor after TAVI – Eichler et al.
Cardiac rehabilitation reduces mortality – Völler et al.
Gebrechlichkeit als Prädiktor nach kathetergestützter Aortenklappenkorrektur (TAVI) – Völler et al.
Remote telemonitoring in chronic heart failure improves quality of life – Völler et al.
Cardipulmonary exercise variables and return to work after CR – Völler et al.
Exercise stress test and disease severity in cardiac rehabilitation patients – Salzwedel et al.
Spiroergometrie zur Vorhersage der beruflichen Wiedereingliederung – Salzwedel et al.
Rehabilitation von TAVI-Patienten: das TAVI-Register – Eichler et al.
Spiroergometrie hinsichtlich der beruflichen Wiedereingliederung bei kardiologischen Erkrankungen – Völler et al.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing after CR – Völler et al.
Prävalenz von Aspiration bei tracheotomierten Patienten – Heidler et al.
Inpatient cardiac rehabilitation: training methods, patient characteristics and exercise capacity – Salzwedel et al.
Impact of clinical and sociodemographic determinants on success of CR – Salzwedel et al.
The Professorship of Rehabilitation Medicine is involved in the development of research-based teaching at the Faculty of Health Sciences in the Master’s degree programs “Public Health, Exercise and Nutrition” and “Health Services Research”.
In addition, the Chair of Rehabilitation Medicine is continuing its cooperation with the Faculty of Human Sciences and is involved in the following courses:
The professor’s colleagues work in specialist national and international medical companies, work and study groups. Their key focuses are the effectiveness of multi-modal cardiological rehabilitation, telemedical training therapy and the creation of guidelines and position papers to standardise cardiological rehabilitation in the European context.
Theo Taxis (theo.taxis@uni-potsdam.de)
Saskia Schöpe (schoepe@uni-potsdam.de)
Jakob Tim Hainel (jakob.tim.hainel@uni-potsdam.de)
Alina Bechstädt (alina.bechstaedt@uni-potsdam.de)
