Physical and psychological improvements after phase II cardiac rehabilitation in patients with myocardial infarction.

We have designed a new 4-week hospitalized phase II cardiac rehabilitation program. The purpose of the present study is to clarify whether the physical and psychological status of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) improves after participation in our program. Twenty-nine patients (27 males, two females) with acute MI who enrolled in the 4-week hospitalized phase II rehabilitation program were assessed. All patients enrolled in this study had received coronary interventions. The rehabilitation consisted of exercise training, education and counseling. We evaluated the physical and psychological status of the patients before and just after the program, and at a 6-month follow up. The physical status was assessed by exercise tolerance measured by the peak oxygen consumption and anaerobic threshold, frequency of exercise, and serum concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. The psychological status was assessed by the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory questionnaire (STAI) and the self-rating questionnaire for depression (SRQ-D). Thirty-four patients (27 men, seven women) with MI who did not participate in our rehabilitation program served as a control group. After participation in our rehabilitation program, exercise tolerance and the serum lipid profiles of the patients were improved compared with those before rehabilitation. These parameters had improved significantly 6 months after rehabilitation. The STAI anxiety score was improved significantly and the SRQ-D depression score tended to be improved just after the rehabilitation program. Regular physical activity was continued even 6 months after the completion of the program. Our hospitalized phase II cardiac rehabilitation program improved the management of cardiac risk factors and the psychological status in patients with MI. This comprehensive program may contribute to the secondary prevention of MI as well as the recovery of physical and psychological activities.