Effects of Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs on Anxiety and Quality of Life in Anxious Patients after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Abstract

Background: Patients with psychological problems after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) show poorer outcomes; nevertheless, there is a paucity of research into the effects of cardiac rehabilitation programs on such patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of phase III cardiac rehabilitation programs on the anxiety and quality of life of anxious patients who had undergone CABG in Iran.

            Methods: Six weeks after CABG, 83 anxious patients participated in an 8-week cardiac rehabilitation program that consisted of formal supervised exercise training and educational sessions. The state/trait anxiety inventory and SF-36 questionnaire were two instruments for collecting data in the present study. Of the total of 83, 66 participants saw out the eight-week period.

            Results: With the exception of the mental health aspect, significant improvements were noted in the following components of the quality of life measures after the cardiac rehabilitation program: physical functioning (P<0.001), role-physical (P<0.001), bodily pain (P<0.001), social functioning, (P=0.003), general health (P=0.020), vitality (P=0.006), and role-emotional (P=0.003). Additionally, significant reductions were observed in state anxiety (P=0.010) and trait anxiety (P=0.010(.

            Conclusion: These findings suggest that phase III cardiac rehabilitation may be an effective therapy for improving psychological outcomes of patients with psychological problems after CABG.