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Abstract Cardiac rehabilitation is recommended by AHA and ACC as a Class I indication for post CABG patients. CR improves functional capacity and QoL in post CABG patients. Patient education for post CABG patients is an essential component of CR. Educational interventions have been shown to increase knowledge on disease management and lead to healthier dietary habits and better QoL. Post CABG patients require physical activity counseling to increase participation in domestic, occupational, and recreational activities and to promote functional independence. The aim of this study was to define the effects of patient education and counseling in addition to exercise training compared to exercise training alone on the outcome measures of a CR program (phase II) in post CABG patients. The study population consisted of 45 post CABG patients. Thirty patients were enrolled in CR program either receiving exercise training in addition to education and counseling (group A, n=15) or receiving exercise only (group B, n=15). Fifteen patients were not enrolled in CR program and were advised to maintain their regular activities and medications. The baseline evaluation included demographic data collection, history taking, clinical examination, assessment of physical activity level using SAS, assessment of QoL using the MacNew heart disease HRQoL questionnaire and symptom limited treadmill EST using Bruce protocol. Exercise training program included 3 sessions/ week of aerobic training on a treadmill for 8 weeks. Each session lasted for 30-60 minutes and consisted of: first, warm up of 10 minutes of stretching exercises and light intensity walking on the treadmill. Second, aerobic exercise training on the treadmill for 20-40 minutes at a target heart rate of 45-75% of the HR reserve. Third, cool down of 10 minutes of light intensity walking on treadmill. In addition to education sessions throughout the CR program, using power point presentation, and physical activity counseling at baseline and follow up evaluation (group A). The follow-up evaluation included SAS, the MacNew heart disease HRQoL questionnaire and symptom limited treadmill EST. The outcome measures were physical activity class by SAS score, QoL measured by The MacNew heart disease HRQoL questionnaire score, RPP at a given workload and functional capacity in METs. The study results revealed: The SAS at follow-up improved significantly in groups A, B and C compared to baseline evaluation (P=0.001, P<0.001 and P=0.011 respectively). The scores was significantly higher in groups A and B than control group, with no significant difference between A and B. |