The Impact of Different Physiotherapy Techniques on Patients’ Activity after Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Research background. Majority of body functions and systems which are closely interdependent are damaged after suffering from myocardial infarction. Disorders of heart function affect the strength of skeletal muscles, and endurance gets weaker. Breathing influences a better circulation of blood and affects oxygen absorption. Research questions raised in a context were like this: Do different methods of physiotherapy influence physical ftness after myocardial infarction in the second period of rehabilitation? Subjects and methods. The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of different physiotherapy methods on patients’ physical potential after myocardial infarction in the second period of rehabilitation. A total of 60 individuals aged more than 40 years were enrolled in the study. Patients with elevated ASBP < 140 mm Hg, ADBP < 90 mm Hg were assigned to two groups: the 1st – Nordic Walking (n = 30), to the 2nd – the program of treadmill (n = 30). None of the subjects showed signs of acute pain and respiratory diseases. The study was approved by Bioethics Committee of Klaipėda State University of Applied Sciences. 6 min walking test was used for the evaluation of physical ftness. The change of blood pressure and heart rate was evaluated too. P-values less than 0.05 were interpreted as statistically signifcant. Results. Patients’ physical ftness increased after applying different physiotherapy methods: the walked distance in six minutes got longer, the heart rate increased, the scores of systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased. The frst group walked 48 meters longer than the second group during the 6 minutes walking test. The results of heart rate changes were better in the frst group also. The results of the research showed that the 1st group (Nordic Walking) achieved better results in comparison with the 2nd group (treadmill). Conclusions. After comparing both methods of physiotherapy, the bigger influence of Nordic Walking on patients’ physical ftness in comparison with walking on the treadmill was noticed. The averages of fnal results were higher in Nordic Walking in comparison with the results of the other physiotherapy method. Keywords: physical activity, physiotherapy, myocardial infarction