Effect of Home Based Cardiac Rehabilitation on Quality of Life in Rural Indian Populations - A Controlled Trial

Objective: To study the effect of home based cardiac rehabilitation program on quality of life in low and moderate risk patients with Coronary artery disease in rural Indian populations

Design: Experimental control trial

Settings: This study was conducted at kasturba medical college hospital Manipal, India.

Interventions: 60 subjects recruited for the study after screening they were randomly allotted into experimental group and control group. Both the groups were evaluated by the cardiologist and baseline evaluation was recorded. Control groups were managed by physician with regular medical interventions and the experimental groups were given cardiac rehabilitation program which includes, risk factors modifications, and life style modification and structured home based aerobic exercise program three to five sessions per week for 12 weeks.

Measurements: SF-36 questionnaire was administered to assess the quality of life at baseline and after three months of rehabilitation program for both the groups.

Results: Significant improvement in the quality of life scores in all the domains of SF-36 questionnaire in the experimental group (p<.0001). But there was no significant improvement in the quality of life scores in any domains in the control group was noted.

Conclusions: Home based cardiac rehabilitation proved to be effective in improving quality of life in coronary artery disease patients which increased the availability and feasibility than institutional based cardiac rehabilitation which was out of reach for these patients.