Early 4-week cardiac rehabilitation exercise training in elderly patients after heart surgery.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether supplementing standard cardiac rehabilitation with additional walking or cycling improved exercise performance in elderly patients after heart surgery.
Results Summary
The study found that additional walking or cycling significantly improved peak oxygen uptake, maximal power output, 6-minute walk test performance, and quality of life compared to standard cardiac rehabilitation alone.
Population
Elderly patients (mean age 73.1 years) recovering from heart surgery.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
standard cardiac rehabilitation program | increase | absolute values of the cardiopulmonary exercise test | elderly patients after heart surgery | - | significantly improved | #1 |
standard cardiac rehabilitation program | increase | 6-minute walk test | elderly patients after heart surgery | - | significantly improved | #2 |
standard cardiac rehabilitation program | increase | quality of life scores | elderly patients after heart surgery | - | significantly improved | #3 |
supplementation of additional walking or cycle exercise training to standard cardiac rehabilitation programming | increase | exercise tolerance | elderly patients after heart surgery | - | leads to significantly better | #4 |
supplementation of additional walking or cycle exercise training to standard cardiac rehabilitation programming | increase | global quality of life | elderly patients after heart surgery | - | significantly higher | #5 |
supplementation of additional walking or cycle exercise training to standard cardiac rehabilitation programming | increase | peak oxygen uptake | elderly patients after heart surgery | 18.2 +/- 3.1 mL x kg x min vs. 16.5 +/- 2.2 mL x kg x min | significant differences | #6 |
supplementation of additional walking or cycle exercise training to standard cardiac rehabilitation programming | increase | maximal power output | elderly patients after heart surgery | 72.2 +/- 16 W vs. 60.7 +/- 15 W | significant differences | #7 |
supplementation of additional walking or cycle exercise training to standard cardiac rehabilitation programming | increase | 6-minute walk test | elderly patients after heart surgery | 454.8 +/- 76.3 m vs. 400.5 +/- 75.5 m | significant differences | #8 |
supplementation of additional walking or cycle exercise training to standard cardiac rehabilitation programming | increase | quality of life global | elderly patients after heart surgery | 6.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 6.3 +/- 0.6 | significant differences | #9 |
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects on exercise performance of supplementing a standard cardiac rehabilitation program with additional exercise programming compared to the standard cardiac rehabilitation program alone in elderly patients after heart surgery. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 60 patients (32 men and 28 women, mean age 73.1 +/- 4.7 years) completed cardiac rehabilitation (initiated 12.2 +/- 4.9 days postsurgery). Subjects were assigned to either a control group (CG, standard cardiac rehabilitation program [n = 19]), or an intervention group (IG, additional walking [n = 19], or cycle ergometry training [n = 22]). A symptom limited cardiopulmonary exercise test and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed before and after 4 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation. The MacNew questionnaire was used to assess quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: At baseline, no significant differences for peak oxygen uptake ((.)VO2), maximal power output, or the 6MWT were detected between IG and CG. Global QOL was significantly higher in IG. After 4 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation, patients significantly improved in absolute values of the cardiopulmonary exercise test, 6MWT, and QOL scores. Significant differences between groups were found for peak (.)VO2 (IG: 18.2 +/- 3.1 mL x kg x min vs. CG: 16.5 +/- 2.2 mL x kg x min, P < .05); maximal power output (IG: 72.2 +/- 16 W vs. CG: 60.7 +/- 15 W, P < .05); 6MWT (IG: 454.8 +/- 76.3 m vs. CG: 400.5 +/- 75.5 m, P < .05); and QOL global (IG: 6.5 +/- 0.5 vs. CG: 6.3 +/- 0.6, P < .05). CONCLUSION: The supplementation of additional walking or cycle exercise training to standard cardiac rehabilitation programming compared to standard cardiac rehabilitation alone in elderly patients after heart surgery leads to significantly better exercise tolerance.