Abstract
Background: Postoperative cardiac surgery patients often experience symptoms such as chest pain, poor sleep, depression, and anxiety. Healthcare providers need to identify effective interventions to alleviate these physical and psychological issues.
Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of a multidimensional exercise program on symptom and psychological distress in frail patients after cardiac surgery.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 88 cardiac surgery patients from two medical centers in northern Taiwan. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 45) or control group (n = 43). The intervention group participated in a 12-week multidimensional exercise program, which included nursing consultation, moderate-intensity exercise (30-45 minutes, three times per week), nutritional guidance, social support, and an exercise education manual. The control group received routine care. Data collection occurred at three points: before the intervention, and at 6 and 12 weeks post-enrollment. Questionnaires measured personal characteristics, symptom distress, anxiety, depression, frailty, and social support. Physiological measures included handgrip strength and a 4-meter walking test. Independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests, and generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data.
Results: Frail patients frequently reported symptoms like dry cough, fatigue, insomnia, and weakness, with a mean symptom distress score of 32.73 ± 9.58. Symptom distress was correlated with activities of daily living, surgical procedures, and preoperative arrhythmias. Depression (1.84 ± 1.66) and anxiety (2.24 ± 2.72) levels were low. Generalized estimating equations showed that both groups had significant reductions in symptom distress over time. In the intervention group, scores decreased from 31.40 ± 9.05 to 21.98 ± 5.45 by week 12. However, improvements were not significantly greater than those in the control group. Both groups also saw reductions in depression and anxiety scores, but no significant advantage was noted for the intervention group.
Conclusion: The multidimensional exercise program showed limited effectiveness in reducing symptom distress, depression, and anxiety among frail patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Further research is needed to assess its potential benefits and feasibility in managing physical and psychological distress in this population.
Notes
References:
Açikel M. E. T. (2019). Evaluation of depression and anxiety in coronary artery bypass surgery patients: A prospective clinical study. Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 34(4), 389–395. https://doi.org/10.21470/1678-9741-2018-0426
Al Namat, R., Al Namat, D., Ciocoiu, M., Hînganu, M. V., Sorodoc, L., Sorodoc, V., Foia, L. G., Florea, L, Vlad, C., Tănasă, A., Constantin, M., Cioloca, D., Bădescu, M. C., Bazyani, A., & Felea, M. (2022). H-FABP Levels and psycho-emotional improvement of CABG patients during cardiac rehabilitation. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease, 9(8), 242. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd9080242
McCann, W. D., Hou, X. Y., Stolic, S., & Ireland, M. J. (2023). Predictors of psychological distress among post-operative cardiac patients: A narrative review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 11(20), 2721. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11202721
Yau, D. K. W., Wong, M. K. H., Wong, W. T., Gin, T., Underwood, M. J., Joynt, G. M., & Lee, A. (2019). PREhabilitation for improving QUality of recovery after ELective cardiac surgery (PREQUEL) study: Protocol of a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 9(5), e027974. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027974
Yokote, T., Nishimura, T., Furukawa S. & Inoue, S. (2023). Association of frailty and depressive symptoms with the establishment of exercise habits in patients undergoing outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 5(4), 100290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2023.100290
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Acute Care, Cardiac Surgery Patients, Exercise, Physical and Psychological Health Impact
Recommended Citation
Cheng, Li-Kai and Chiou, Ai-Fu, "Effects of Exercise Program on Symptom and Psychological Distress in Frail Cardiac Surgery Patients" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 39.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/39
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Effects of Exercise Program on Symptom and Psychological Distress in Frail Cardiac Surgery Patients
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Postoperative cardiac surgery patients often experience symptoms such as chest pain, poor sleep, depression, and anxiety. Healthcare providers need to identify effective interventions to alleviate these physical and psychological issues.
Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of a multidimensional exercise program on symptom and psychological distress in frail patients after cardiac surgery.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 88 cardiac surgery patients from two medical centers in northern Taiwan. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 45) or control group (n = 43). The intervention group participated in a 12-week multidimensional exercise program, which included nursing consultation, moderate-intensity exercise (30-45 minutes, three times per week), nutritional guidance, social support, and an exercise education manual. The control group received routine care. Data collection occurred at three points: before the intervention, and at 6 and 12 weeks post-enrollment. Questionnaires measured personal characteristics, symptom distress, anxiety, depression, frailty, and social support. Physiological measures included handgrip strength and a 4-meter walking test. Independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests, and generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data.
Results: Frail patients frequently reported symptoms like dry cough, fatigue, insomnia, and weakness, with a mean symptom distress score of 32.73 ± 9.58. Symptom distress was correlated with activities of daily living, surgical procedures, and preoperative arrhythmias. Depression (1.84 ± 1.66) and anxiety (2.24 ± 2.72) levels were low. Generalized estimating equations showed that both groups had significant reductions in symptom distress over time. In the intervention group, scores decreased from 31.40 ± 9.05 to 21.98 ± 5.45 by week 12. However, improvements were not significantly greater than those in the control group. Both groups also saw reductions in depression and anxiety scores, but no significant advantage was noted for the intervention group.
Conclusion: The multidimensional exercise program showed limited effectiveness in reducing symptom distress, depression, and anxiety among frail patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Further research is needed to assess its potential benefits and feasibility in managing physical and psychological distress in this population.
Description
This randomized controlled trial included 88 cardiac surgery patients. The intervention group underwent a 12-week multidimensional exercise program, while the control group received routine care. Although the intervention group showed improvements in symptoms and psychological distress at week 12, no significant differences were found between the two groups. Further research is needed to confirm the program's effectiveness in reducing physical and psychological distress.