A pilot study to assess the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitative teaching program on quality of life and physiological parameters among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in tertiary care hospital

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common of heart surgeries. Cardiac rehabilitation has been identified as an essential and safer part of care for patients undergoing CABG which eventually would improve quality of life (QOL) and physiological parameters. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitative teaching program (CRTP) on QOL and physiological parameters. Subjects and Methods: A randomized controlled study was undertaken in fifty participants undergoing CABG between June 2016 and January 2017 at tertiary care hospitals. The experimental group received CRTP. The control group received routine teaching. Data were collected at the time of admission, 1 week after discharge, and 2 months after surgery using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, activity log sheet, and physiological parameter checklist. Results: The QOL scores of experimental group were significantly higher than the control group, at posttest 1 and posttest 2 in all domains except social domain at posttest 2 (P < 0.05). In both the groups, the QOL scores improved significantly within the group in each domain (P < 0.05) except social domain (P > 0.05). Within the groups, there was a significant improvement in all the physiological parameter scores (P < 0.05) in the experimental group whereas only in heart rate in case of the control group. There was a significant improvement in diastolic blood pressure and hip-waist ratio of experimental group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Structured CRTP in CABG patients is effective in improving QOL and to some extent in improving physiological parameters.