[The Update of the Rehabilitation Therapy Standards of the German Pension Assurance].

Objectives: To report on the process of updating the German Pension Insurers' rehabilitation therapy standards (RTS) from 2013 to 2015.

Methods: Four methodical approaches were taken to gather evidence: a) systematic literature searches, b) the formation of expert groups, expert workshops, and online discussion forums to bring together the experiences from clinicians and patients, c) an analysis of the latest KTL data to understand the extent to which the RTS are currently being fulfilled, and d) conceptual consideration of the significance of current developments in rehabilitation in light of the RTS revision.

Results: There are now updated versions of all 9 RTS. Over half of the therapy modules are based on scientific evidence. Other modules are based on clinical experience with good clinical-practice standards. The scientific evidence has not changed much overall in the last few years, although there are some indications of higher evidence levels.

Conclusion: The revised RTS can make a positive contribution to ensuring that rehabilitation is of high quality. Further research is needed to increase the level of evidence - especially regarding the intensity of therapy.