Exercise rehabilitation based on medical care-family integration in older patients with chronic heart failure and psychological problems

BACKGROUND As the aging process has accelerated, psychological problems in older patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) have become increasingly prominent, significantly affecting their quality of life and prognosis. This study explored a sports rehabilitation program based on the concept of medical care-family integration to provide patients with comprehensive and effective rehabilitation interventions and improve their health status. AIM To explore the effects of medical care-family integration-based exercise rehabilitation in older patients with CHF and psychological problems. METHODS Data from 118 older patients with CHF and psychological problems were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into conventional (n = 56) and exercise rehabilitation groups (n = 62). The results of the 6-min walking distance (6 MWD), N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ), generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Athens insomnia scale (AIS) were compared before and after intervention. RESULTS After intervention, there were significant differences in the number of patients with depression and anxiety between the two groups. There was also a significant difference in the distribution of sleep disorders. The PHQ-9 score, GAD-7 score, AIS score, NT-proBNP value, LVEDD value, physical field, emotional field, other fields, and MLHFQ total scores were lower in the exercise rehabilitation group compared to the conventional rehabilitation group, while the 6 MWD and LVEF values were higher compared to the conventional rehabilitation group (P < 0.05). During the intervention period, the readmission rate of the exercise rehabilitation group (1.61%) was significantly lower than that of the conventional rehabilitation group (12.50%) (χ 2 = 3.930, P = 0.047). CONCLUSION This exercise rehabilitation program with medical care-family integration can improve cardiac function and quality of life, alleviate psychological problems, and reduce readmission rates in older patients with CHF.