Why the study?
Does exercise therapy or group counseling improve rehabilitation effectiveness in postmyocardial infarction subjects with low work capacity or psychological distress?
Does exercise therapy or group counseling improve rehabilitation effectiveness in postmyocardial infarction subjects with low work capacity or psychological distress?
In post-myocardial infarction patients, both exercise therapy and group counseling improve psychological and social well-being, while exercise additionally improves work capacity and reduces fatigue.
May support exercise and counseling for well-being in post-MI patients; leaves open mortality effects and needs randomized confirmation.
• One hundred six postmyocardial infarction subjects who either achieved a mean work load of less than seven mets on treadmill testing, who were rated as anxious and/or depressed, or who met both criteria, participated in a controlled study comparing the rehabilitation effectiveness of exercise therapy and group counseling. Each intervention lasted 12 weeks. Follow-up evaluations were scheduled at three months, six months and one year. Exercise substantially increased mean work capacity, decreased fatigue, lessened anxiety and depression, and promoted independence and sociability. Counseling substantially reduced depression and promoted a sense of friendliness, and decreased interpersonal friction as well as greater independence and sociability. The control group reported no substantial change on any measured factor. Neither counseling nor exercise had an effect on mortality though subjects in the exercise group reported fewer major cardiovascular sequelae. (Arch Intern Med1983;143:1719-1725)
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Melvin J. Stern (1983) studied this question.
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