Effects of Different Rehabilitation Protocols in Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Purpose: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery typically experience loss of cardiopulmonary capacity in the post-operative period. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different rehabilitation protocols used in inpatient cardiac rehabilitation on functional capacity and pulmonary function in patient status post-CABG surgery. Methods: This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. The primary endpoint of functional capacity and secondary endpoints of lung capacity and respiratory muscle function were assessed in patients scheduled to undergo CABG. After surgery, 40 patients were randomly assigned across 1 of 4 inpatient cardiac rehabilitation groups: G1, inspiratory muscle training, active upper limb and lower limb exercise training, and early ambulation; G2, same protocol as G1 without inspiratory muscle training; G3, inspiratory muscle training alone; and G4, control. All groups received chest physical therapy and expiratory positive airway pressure. Patients were reassessed on post-operative day 6 and post-discharge day 30 (including cardiopulmonary exercise testing). Results: The 6-min walk distance on post-operative day 6 was significantly higher in groups that included exercise training (G1 and G2), remaining higher at 30 d post-discharge (P
Source: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Cardiac Rehabilitation Source Type: research