Effect of Home Exercise Protocol on Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life in Post CABG Subjects

Abstract

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) rehabilitation protocols were developed to restore patient’s
daily activities emphasizing physical and functional fitness. Home exercise protocol includes aerobic and
resistance exercise framed to perform with graded complexity and much motivation.
Objectives: 1) To determine the effect of home exercise protocol on exercise tolerance and quality of life in
post CABG subjects and 2) To determine the effect of conventional physiotherapy on exercise tolerance and
quality of life in post CABG subjects.
Method: Ethical Clearance was obtained from institutional ethical committee. A total 70 post CABG subjects
were selected and divided into two groups. Group A(n=35) received conventional physiotherapy which
includes walking, shoulder and thoracic mobility exercises, breathing exercises along with medications for
1 hour/day and 5days/week and Group B (n=35) received home exercise protocol which includes aerobic
exercises and resisted exercises along with conventional physiotherapy. The preassessment of exercise
tolerance is measured by 6 Six Minute Walk test (6MWT)and quality of life with SF36 questionnaire and
postinterventional assessment was taken for the same after 3 months.
Result: Intergroup statistical analysis for 6MWT revealed significant in postintervention for Group
B(p<0.0001).QOL was extremely significant for group B (p<0.0001). Group B treated with home exercise
protocol have statistically significant improvement over group A in 6 minute walk test and quality of life.
Conclusion: Hence home exercise protocol is effective in improving exercise tolerance and showed
increased quality of life in post CABG subjects.