A pilot study examining the safety and effectiveness of 8-weeks of early cardiac rehabilitation on physical function and psychological well-being in patients following aortic root replacement

Najafabadi, Mahboubeh; Niazi, Sepideh; Mortazavian, Soudabehsadat; Khah, Amir; Ingle, Lee

Abstract

AIM: To determine the effects of a structured, moderate-intensity, early cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program on physical function and psychological wellbeing in patients following aortic root replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to either an 8-week (24 sessions) cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program, 4 to 6 weeks after aortic root replacement using the Bentall procedure, or to an age- and sex-matched control group undertaking no structured exercise. Physical function (via exercise treadmill test (ETT)) and psychological wellbeing (assessed via DASS-21 and SF36) were assessed before and following 8-weeks of CR. RESULTS: 30 patients (15 in the control (mean age: 37±10 years) and 15 in the intervention group (mean age: 38±11 years)) completed the 8-week CR programme and no adverse events were reported over the intervention period. In the CR group, all sub-components of the SF-36 and DASS-21 increased (all P < 0.05), showing an overall improvement in psychological wellbeing following the intervention. Distance walked on the ETT (improved significantly following 8-weeks of CR (490±167 m v 659±141 m; Λ improvement = 169 m; P < 0.05). There were no changes in physical function and psychological wellbeing in the controls (P > 0.05). A significant group-by-time interaction effect was evident for physical function and all sub-components of the SF-36 and DASS-21 (all P < 0.05) highlighting significant improvements in outcomes in the CR group compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: This small sample, aerobic-based, moderate-intensity CR is safe and effective, and can be tolerated only 4-6 weeks after complex aortic root replacement surgery.

Citation

Najafabadi, M., Niazi, S., Mortazavian, S., Khah, A., & Ingle, L. (2022). A pilot study examining the safety and effectiveness of 8-weeks of early cardiac rehabilitation on physical function and psychological well-being in patients following aortic root replacement. Physiotherapy Practice and Research, 43(1), 37-43. https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-210541

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 9, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Mar 25, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Apr 19, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 22, 2022
• Journal: Physiotherapy Practice and Research
• Print ISSN: 2213-0683
• Electronic ISSN: 2213-0691
• Publisher: IOS Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 37-43
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-210541
• Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation; Bentall procedure; Depression; Anxiety
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3979878