Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Aims: The goal of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery (CABGs) is to improve the quality of life in patients with coronary artery diseases. Many studies have suggested the implementation of a cardiac rehabilitation program after surgery required to achieve this goal. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life in post-surgery patients. Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental which was conducted in 2012, 70 patients (35 patients in experimental group and 35 patients in control group) undergoing CABGs in Shahid Rajaei Heart Center of Tehran City were selected by achievable sampling method. The experimental group received 12 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation program according to their health condition. The control group was not participating in the rehabilitation program. The qualities of life of patients of both groups were measured by Ferrans & Powers Questionnaire of quality of life before and after the cardiac rehabilitation program. Data were analyzed in SPSS 16 software by Paired T, independent T and linear regression tests. Findings: The experimental and the control group were matched according to age and sex. There was no significant difference between two groups before intervention in the quality of life score. After intervention, the quality of life score were increased in both the experimental (19.991.11) and the control groups (18.491.48), respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: Participation in cardiac rehabilitation program is effective in promotion of quality of life in CABG patients.