EFFECT OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION ON MENTAL STRESS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Objective: Myocardial infarction patients suffer anxiety which hampers early recovery and puts negative impact on disease course. Impact of cardiac rehabilitation on mental stress is the main objective of this study.

Methodology: Quasi experimental study was conducted by taking study sample of 120 diagnosed patients of myocardial infarction admitted in cardiac care unit of cardiology department of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Stratification of study population into two groups comprising of 60 patients each was done, case and control. Control group was prescribed usual treatment while other group was prescribed a special rehabilitation program for 3 months. Spielberger anxiety inventory and data collection proforma was designed. Anxiety inventory about all patients was filled at the start and end of study. Chi square, t- test, independent t test were applied and data analysis was done on SPSS version 19. Mean, SD of mean and variance were used for data analysis.

Results: There was significant reduction in level of mental stress in patients with myocardial infarction, by using cardiac rehabilitation program (p- value 0.001). The start and end of study mental stress level in control group was also studied, it was not significantly reduced. P value was 0.12 Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation can effectively reduce the mental stress in patients with MI and help in early recovery and has positive impact on disease course.

Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation can effectively reduce the mental stress in patients with MI and help in early recovery and has positive impact on disease course.

Key Words: Myocardial infarction, rehabilitation, mental stress, anxiety.