Early rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.

129 men aged 60 years or less with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction were allocated to one of three programmes of management: normal treatment (control), exercise training, or extra advice. Outcome was evaluated after twelve weeks by exercise testing and standardised assessments of psychological state and social adjustment. There were no differences between the groups in psychological outcome, physical activity, or satisfaction with leisure or work. The "exercise" patients were more enthusiastic about their treatment and achieved higher work levels on exercise testing than the "advice" or "control" groups. Those who did not attend had a significantly worse outcome. At eighteen months the only significant findings were better outcomes, in terms of overall satisfaction, hours at work, and frequency of sexual intercourse, for the "advice" group. Exercise training increased confidence during exercise in the early stages of convalescence but the overall results show that rehabilitation is of little benefit to cardiac function, everyday life, or emotional state.