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
Affiliations: [a] Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| [b] Department of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Shariati Hospital, Sports and Exercise Medicine Specialist, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| [c] Department of Nutrition Science, Islamic Azad University-Sarab Branch, Ardebil, Iran
| [d] Sepehr Heart Center, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| [e] Sport, Health & Exercise Science, University of Hull, Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Amir Sobhrakhshan Khah, MD, Sepehr Heart Center, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: amir.rakhshann@yahoo.com; ORCID: 0000-0003-4371-6626
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.
