Training And Exercise After Open Heart Surgery
Does It Make A Difference?
A study was performed at the University of Rio Grande and the Exercise Cardiology Research Group by M. Zanini et Al, to asses the implications of post operative exercise.
Open Heart Surgery Patients experience a loss of breathing 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. Particularly on functional capacity and pulmonary function in patient status post-CABG.
The primary endpoint was functional capacity and the secondary endpoint was the lung capacity and respiratory muscle function. They were assessed in 40 patients scheduled to undergo CABG, so before surgery.
After surgery, the 40 patients were randomly assigned to 4 different rehabilitation groups.
Group 1: inspiratory muscle training, active upper limb and lower limb exercise training, and early ambulation.
(Early ambulation is a technique of postoperative care in which a patient gets out of bed and engages in light activity such as sitting, standing, or walking as soon as possible after an operation.)
Group 2: Active upper limb and lower limb exercise training, and early ambulation.
Group 3: inspiratory muscle training alone.
Group 4: Control group without training.
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 (Group 1 and Group 2)
-
And remaining significantly higher between the groups at 30 day post-discharge
-
Peak oxygen uptake on day 30 was also significantly higher in Group 1 and Group 2.
-
All groups achieved similar recovery of lung function.
As conclusion the study finds that that the Groups 1 and 2 which included a systematic plan for early ambulation and upper and lower limb exercise, reduced fitness losses while in the hospital and significantly enhanced recovery 1 month after surgery.
Link to Study:
