The Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation With Relaxation Therapy on Psychological, Hemodynamic, and Hospital Admission Outcome Variables

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of a cardiac rehabilitation program with relaxation therapy (CP(RT)) in comparison with cardiac rehabilitation alone on psychological stress, hemodynamic variables, cardiac risk factors, and cardiac-related hospital admissions in patients with coronary artery disease METHODS: Patients (N = 81) were randomly assigned to either a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program alone (CP(A)) or a CP(RT) Perceived stress, blood pressure, heart rate, rate-pressure product value, total cholesterol level, body mass Index, smoking status, and physical activity were recorded at baseline and following the 12-week intervention Cardiac-related hospital admissions were analyzed in a 2-year follow-up RESULTS: Perceived stress declined in both groups., although this Improvement was significantly superior in the CP(RT), (31 5 4 9 vs 23 4 4 1, P <= 0001) CP(RT) but not CP(A), had significantly lower heart rate, blood pressure, and rate-pressure product values after the program (P <= (P: 5 0001) Both groups Improved smoking status, physical activity, body mass index, and total cholesterol level During follow-up), file odds of being admitted to the hospital with cardiac-related problems, after adjusting for heart rate, blood pressure, smoking status, physical activity status, and total cholesterol (OR, 0 37, 95% CI, 0 045-2 98), was not significantly different between groups CONCLUSIONS: Relaxation therapy was associated with a positive effect on psychological stress and hemodynamic variables beyond that promoted by cardiac rehabilitation alone