Changes in Sleep Quality in Heart Disease Patients Following a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Sleep disorders are very common in patients with heart disease. The objective of this study has been to assess the effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on sleep quality, quality of life, anxiety, depression and functional capacity in patients with heart disease. A pre-test/post-test design study was carried out on the 240 patients included in the cardiac rehabilitation program at the “Virgen de la Victoria” hospital in Malaga; 50 patients (20.8%) were included in the program due to heart failure (HF) and the rest of them after having undergone a revascularization procedure or a surgery for valvular disease. The patients underwent a cardiac rehabilitation program for 8 weeks, based on programmed physical training, health education and psychological treatment. At the end of the program, scores improved on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (p = 0.008), the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire (p <0.001), the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (p <0.001) as well as in functional capacity (p <0.001). When comparing patients with heart failure with those without, no differences were found in sleep quality, quality of life, anxiety or depression. In conclusion, the completion of an 8-week cardiac rehabilitation program may improve, in the short term, the quality of sleep in patients with heart disease.

Readiness of cardiosurgical patients for digital rehabilitation programs

Introduction To date, the methods of remote rehabilitation using the mobile applications for smartphones are increasingly introduced for a particular category of cardiac patients worldwide. Such programs are of a particular relevance due to a higher accessibility for a patient which is provided by the flexibility of the patients' home training schedule and the possibility of constant communication with a cardiologist and rehabilitation therapist. Purpose To study the readiness of the patients to participate in the remote digital cardiac rehabilitation program. Methods 265 patients (180 (68%) men and 85 (32%) women) undergone a cardiac surgery and staying at the cardiac surgery department were examined. The mean age of the patients was 67±11.9 years. 157 (59%) patients undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 73 (34%) patients – heart valves surgery, 13 (5%) patients – simultaneous CABG and heart valves surgery and 5 (2%) – hybrid CABG with carotid endarterectomy. Prior to the discharge from the first inpatient rehabilitation stage (10–12 days after cardiac surgery), all the patients underwent a survey. The survey was conducted using a designed questionnaire including 5 questions, the answers to which determined the patients' awareness of the necessity and the structure of postoperative remote rehabilitation using the digital technologies, as well as the willingness and the possibility to participate in these programs. Results Analyzing the results obtained from the survey it turned out that the majority of patients (258 (97%)) believe that they need cardiac rehabilitation. However, only 86 (32%) patients answered positively to the question about their readiness to participate in remote digital rehabilitation programs. When analyzing the reasons for such a low readiness of patients to participate in remote programs it turned out that 98 (37%) patients didn't have smartphones. 10 (4%) patients despite the presence of a smartphone, refused to participate referring to their inability to use considering themselves incapable of learning it. 71 (27%) patients simply refused claiming that they don't understand the necessity for remote cardiac rehabilitation. Conclusions Thus, only a small number of the patients (32%) are ready to participate in remote digital programs of cardiac rehabilitation. A considerable amount of the patients (37%) can't afford to participate in a remote rehabilitation program only due to the absence of the smartphone and 27% of the patients are not ready to participate in a remote cardiac rehabilitation program not understanding the importance of distance cardiac rehabilitation for them. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Cardiovascular Patients' Adherence to the Exercise Component of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: Role of Patient’s Perceived Autonomy Support, Motivation, and Competence

Adherence to the exercise component of a Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) remains low. Up to 50% of patients do not complete CR program.