title: Cardiac rehabilitation program participation and outcomes after myocardial infarction.
abstract: Rehabilitation programs for myocardial infarction (MI) survivors are designed to alter survivors' self-care patterns and to improve long-term physical and psychological outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in cardiac rehabilitation and health state; days of reduced activity; anxiety; depression; self-esteem; quality of life; and performance of exercise, diet, medication, stress-modification, and smoking-reduction self-care behaviors after MI. Interviews were conducted with 197 women and men 1 to 2 years after their initial MI to measure health state, mood, self-esteem, quality of life, and relevant self-care behaviors. Rehabilitation center records were reviewed to determine participation in rehabilitation programs. Rehabilitation participation was significantly associated with health state; days of reduced activity; self-esteem; quality of life; and performance of exercise, diet, and medication self-care. These findings suggest that participation in cardiac rehabilitation is a worthwhile intervention that facilitates recovery from myocardial infarction.
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Conn
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Casey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010358:Patient Participation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care