Physical and psychological improvements after phase II cardiac rehabilitation in patients with myocardial infarction

63 patients with myocardial infarction (MI). The rehabilitation group consisted of 29 patients (27 males, 2 females) with acute MI who had received coronary interventions. The control group consisted of 34 patients (27 men, 7 women) with MI.

4-week hospitalized phase II cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of exercise training, education, and counseling.

No participation in the rehabilitation program (control group).

Physical status (exercise tolerance measured by peak oxygen consumption and anaerobic threshold, frequency of exercise, and serum lipid profiles) and psychological status (STAI anxiety score and SRQ-D depression score) evaluated before, just after the program, and at 6-month follow-up.surrogate