Baseline profile and rehabilitation needs of patients post-myocardial infarction in the long-term rehabilitation period

Relevance. In the long-term rehabilitation period following myocardial infarction, clinically stable patients may exhibit insufficient physical activity levels, unmanaged modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, as well as psychoemotional and behavioural challenges. Comprehensive evaluation of these characteristics is essential to identify rehabilitation needs and individualise home-based physical therapy. Aim. To evaluate baseline clinical, functional, behavioural, and psychoemotional characteristics, alongside health-related quality of life, in patients post-myocardial infarction, and to determine the rehabilitation needs required for individualising home-based physical therapy. Materials and methods. Baseline data from 140 clinically stable patients enrolled in a randomised controlled trial evaluating a tailored home-based physical therapy programme were analysed. The post-myocardial infarction duration ranged from 0.5 to 6 years. Clinical and demographic characteristics, functional capacity, physical activity levels, symptoms of anxiety and depression, kinesiophobia, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life were assessed. Results. The median time elapsed since myocardial infarction was 2.0 [1.0; 3.25] years. Overweight or obesity was present in 78.6% of patients, arterial hypertension in 65.7%, and diabetes mellitus in 14.3%; 18.6% of patients continued to smoke. The mean 6-minute walk test distance was 523.1 ± 58.3 m; however, 86.4% of patients failed to achieve the recommended physical activity target of ≥150 minutes/week. Clinically significant symptoms of anxiety were identified in 37.9% of patients, and depressive symptoms in 30.7%. The mean kinesiophobia score was 28.7 ± 4.4 points, exercise self-efficacy was 23.9 ± 5.6 points, and the overall quality of life score was 1.86 ± 0.26 points. The control and intervention groups were overall comparable in terms of baseline characteristics. Conclusions. The baseline profile of patients 0.5 to 6 years post-myocardial infarction was characterised by a combination of physical inactivity, excess body weight, cardiovascular risk factors, and psychoemotional and behavioural barriers. The most prevalent rehabilitation needs included increasing daily physical activity, managing modifiable risk factors, and overcoming psychoemotional and behavioural obstacles. These findings highlight the value of a comprehensive baseline assessment as the foundation for individualising long-term home-based physical therapy following myocardial infarction.