The effect of cardiac rehabilitation with relaxation therapy on psychological, hemodynamic, and hospital admission outcome variables.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of a cardiac rehabilitation program with relaxation therapy (CPRT) in comparison with cardiac rehabilitation alone on psychological stress, hemodynamic variables, cardiac risk factors, and cardiac-related hospital admissions in patients with coronary artery disease.


METHODS
Patients (N = 81) were randomly assigned to either a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program alone (CPA) or a CPRT. Perceived stress, blood pressure, heart rate, rate-pressure product value, total cholesterol level, body mass index, smoking status, and physical activity were recorded at baseline and following the 12-week intervention. Cardiac-related hospital admissions were analyzed in a 2-year follow-up.


RESULTS
Perceived stress declined in both groups, although this improvement was significantly superior in the CPRT (31.5 +/- 4.9 vs 23.4 +/- 4.1; P <or= .0001). CPRT, but not CPA, had significantly lower heart rate, blood pressure, and rate-pressure product values after the program (P <or= .0001). Both groups improved smoking status, physical activity, body mass index, and total cholesterol level. During follow-up, the odds of being admitted to the hospital with cardiac-related problems, after adjusting for heart rate, blood pressure, smoking status, physical activity status, and total cholesterol (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.045-2.98), was not significantly different between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Relaxation therapy was associated with a positive effect on psychological stress and hemodynamic variables beyond that promoted by cardiac rehabilitation alone.
Neves
Angela
A
Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Alves
Alberto Jorge
AJ
Ribeiro
Fernando
F
Gomes
João Lopes
JL
Oliveira
José
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000639:trends*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome