EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VIDEO SUPPORT FOR HOME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MAINTENANCE IN CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENTS POST–DISCHARGE

Abstract Introduction A difficulty in maintaining a regular post–hospitalization physical activity program by cardiac surgery patients is reported in the literature. This reduces the long–term benefit that a cardiac rehabilitation program can provide, and therefore it has become increasingly relevant to understand how to maintain high compliance in these patients. Purpose To evaluate whether a video support containing specific exercises can be more effective in maintaining adherence to physical activity, compared with the paper–only support in use at the specialist cardiac rehabilitation department of Multimedica, Castellanza. Materials and methods patients <65 years old, after cardiac surgery, with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), without orthopedic neurological and oncological comorbidities. All subjects at discharge were divided into two groups by simple randomization. GC (control group): 15 patients who were given a paper discharge program containing examples of exercises to be performed at home. GS (study group): 15 patients, also given the paper discharge program containing exercises to be performed at home plus a video support representing the same exercises. Outcome Measures 6MWT (6–minute walking test), SPPB (short physical performance battery), 30"STS (sit to stand), 10m GST (Gait speed test), carried out upon discharge (T0) and 2 months after discharge (T2). In addition, an Adherence Questionnaire was given at 1 month after discharge T1 and 2 months after discharge (T2). Results At 2 months after discharge (T2), both groups maintained the functional autonomy obtained during hospitalization. In the GS, a statistically significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in meters walked at 6MWT, walking speed over 10 m, sit to stand (STS) and adherence to the home program (questionnaire). Conclusions Video support was found to be effective in maintaining adherence to the proposed home physical activity program. All patients in possession of the video continued their home exercise consistently, keeping the benefits, which were visible in follow–up evaluations with statistically significant results (p<0.05).