Experienced fatigue is decreased after cardiac rehabilitation and at one year follow up

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the short and long term effect of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on experienced fatigue. Additionally, to explore the effects of CR on physical fitness and social participation and to investigate whether experienced fatigue is influenced by these constructs. Methods: In total, 89 patients (79.8% men, 58 years) that participated in the Capri rehabilitation program were included in this study. The rehabilitation program consists of exercise training twice a week and information modules on risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Primary outcome was experienced fatigue as measured with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes were physical fitness and social participation. Measurements were taken pre- and post-rehabilitation and at one year follow-up. Results: Experienced fatigue decreased from baseline to post-rehabilitation and sustained till one year follow-up (P<0.05). Physical fitness was improved postrehabilitation (P<0.05), but declined at one year follow-up (P<0.05). Participation scores were improved post-rehabilitation (P<0.05), these improvements sustained till one year follow-up. A significant (P<0.05) correlation of 0.431 was found between the differences in the restrictions domain of USER-P and fatigue (FSS). (Figure presented) Conclusion: Experienced fatigue was deceased post-rehabilitation and sustained decreased till one year follow-up. The decrease in experienced fatigue was associated with improvements in experienced restrictions domain of social participation domain.