Recovery after myocardial infarction : effects of a caring rehabilitation programme
Sammanfattning
The aim of the study was to evaluate a multifactorial rehabilitation programme based on interdisciplinary caring efforts for myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Randomly chosen MI-patients participated, either in a six-month rehabilitation programme (intervention group=53) or in routine cardiac followups (control group=63). Subjective and objective instruments were used for measuring their health recovery. Biophysical improvements were showed as an increased physical capacity (p<0.001) using a submaximal exercise test six months after MI, and less reinfarctions (p<0.024) twelve months after MI, to the intervention patients' advantage. Psychological improvements were demonstrated in a higher life satisfaction (p<0.001) six months and (0.1>p>0.05) twelve months after MI to the intervention patients' advantage. Social improvements were indicated as a better leisure situation (p<0.004) six months after MI, and as a better partner situation (p<0.010), including a less influenced sex life (p<0.017), twelve months after MI to the intervention patients' advantage. As to the overall view, the caring rehabilitation programme appeared to be required for the MI-patients' health recovery. In order to be able to reach an optimal state of human health, an even more individualised programme seems to be necessary. Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.