Determining the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on activities of daily living in elderly cardiac patients

• Author / Creator

  Johnston, Megan

• Background: Little is known about the impact cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise programs have on daily functional abilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of CR on elderly patients’ ability to perform common household tasks.
  Methodology: Twenty-two post myocardial infarction patients (10 female, 12 male; age 75 ± 6.3 years) were studied. Patients were tested prior to entering and again after completion of a CR program (20 combined aerobic + strength training sessions over 8 to 10 weeks; 45 min/day). Physical function was assessed using the Continuous Scale – Physical Function Performance 10 test battery (PFP-10).
  Results: Post-CR the global PFP-10 score increased significantly (59 + 14 vs. 52 ± 17; p = 0.003). Prior to CR 7 patients scored above the threshold for independent living, as defined by a global score ≥ 57 units. Post-CR, 12 patients scored above the threshold.
  Conclusions: A 20 session exercise-based CR program significantly enhanced the physical function of elderly patients. More importantly, 55% of patients scored above the threshold for independence post-CR, suggesting that CR may enhance elderly patient’s ability to live independently.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Elderly, Activities of Daily Living, Exercise Therapy

• Graduation date

  Spring 2010

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3B40B

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.