Examination of cardiac rehabilitation participants referred to a musculoskeletal clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To describe participants in a cardiac rehabilitation program who were referred to an in-house musculoskeletal clinic and their cardiac rehabilitation and musculoskeletal outcomes.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was done on 51 participants who were referred to the musculoskeletal clinic between February 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, and cardiac rehabilitation and musculoskeletal outcomes were collected. Analyses included descriptive statistics and nonparametric analysis of outcome measures.


RESULTS
Of the 51 participants, 88.2% reported preexisting musculoskeletal conditions. The most common region of diagnosed musculoskeletal conditions included knee(s) (45.1%), back (25.5%), and shoulder(s) (17.6%). For those who attended the musculoskeletal clinic and had pre-/postintervention data (n = 14), there was a significant improvement from initial to final mean Numerical Pain Rating Scale scores (P = .001) and peak oxygen uptake measures (P = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
A musculoskeletal clinic within a cardiac rehabilitation program could allow for musculoskeletal conditions to be addressed in an effective manner and potentially minimize their negative impact on cardiac rehabilitation participation and outcomes.
Physical Therapy Masters Program, University of Toronto, CBI Health (Mr Khan), Baycrest Hospital (Ms Neuhof), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Ms Tsai), Toronto Rehabilitation, University Health Network, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto (Ms Silaj), Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Division of Physiatry, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto (Dr MacNeill), Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network (Dr Oh), and Department of Physical Therapy Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto (Dr Cott), Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Covenant Health Bonnyville, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Ms Powell).
Mohammed
M
Khan
Aliza
A
Neuhof
Sarina
S
Tsai
Sara
S
Powell
Ellen
E
Silaj
Heather
H
MacNeill
Paul
P
Oh
Cheryl
C
Cott
D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires