ASSESSING PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AFTER HOME-BASED VERSUS CENTRE-BASED CARDIAC REHABILITATION IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Despite the recommendations for exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation as an
integral component of comprehensive cardiac care of patients with CHD, most patients do not receive
it. Home-based cardiac rehabilitation with a nurse manual-support is a popular method of rehabilitation.
It can be effective in reducing disorders in patients, and increasing their participation. The aim of this
investigation was to compare some of the behavioral characteristics and quality of life in both groups of
cardiac rehabilitation.
Materials & Methods: In a semi-experimental study, 40 patients (mean age 59 ± 6.28 year) voluntarily
were divided into 3 groups: 1- home-based exercise rehabilitation (N=12), 2- centre –based CR (N=15)
and 3- control (N=10). Subjects of both home and centre based of cardiac rehabilitation started their
activity for 8 weeks. The type A behavior, anger, pessimism, anxiety, depression and quality of life
variables of patients were measured by standard questionnaires in the beginning and at the end of eight
week exercise rehabilitation. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in P< 0.05
level.
Results: After CR, scores of limit physical health, emotional wellbeing, body pain (Questionnaire SF36),
and anger (Questionnaire TAB) were significantly improved. No significant differences were observed
between the home –based exercise and centre-based cardiac rehabilitation programs based on all indices
apart from the limit physical health index.
Conclusion: Home-based exercise rehabilitation such as centre-based CR improved some of the
psychological factors. Meanwhile the home –based exercise rehabilitation had a greater impact on the
limit physical health index