Fysioterapeuten (Sep 2015)
Cardiac rehabilitation in primary care
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate exercise capacity (EC) and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in coronary and cardiac surgical patients after cardiac rehabilitation with the Norwegian Ullevaal model. Design: An intervention study with high intensity interval training for 12 weeks with pre-post design. Materials and methods: A total of 169 consecutive patients (88 patients after heart surgery and 81 patients with acute coronary syndrome) attending a 12-week comprehensive outpatient CR program with high intensity interval training (the Norwegian Ullevaal model) were evaluated for EC and HRQoL at entry and after completion of the program. EC was assessed with a peak exercise capacity (VO2peak) and HRQoL with self-report using the COOP-WONCA questionnaire. Results: A total of 154 patients (91 %) completed > 80 % of the intervention and 86 % were re-tested after completion of the program without any severe adverse events. VO2peak increased from 31.4 ±7.3 to 35.5 ± 8.5 ml/kg/min (p <0.001). HRQoL was statistically significantly improved for all domains (p<0.001). Conclusion: EC and HRQoL life were clinical and significantly improved after 12 weeks of high intensity interval training in primary care.
