Effect of Nursing Exercise Protocol on Hemodynamics and Functional Capacity among Patients after Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

Context: Exercise interventions are the cornerstone of cardiac rehabilitation. The exercise program consists of respiratory physiotherapy, neck and shoulder exercises, walking, and cycling. The purpose is to prevent respiratory complications, neck and shoulder pain and increase the physical functional level.
Aim: This study evaluates the effect of applying nursing exercise protocol on hemodynamics and functional capacity among post-cardiac surgery patients.

Methods: Quasi-experimental research design utilized in the current study. A purposive sample, including 60 male and female patients, was classified equally into two equal groups; study group (n= 30) and control group (n= 30), collected through 14 months. This study was carried out in the inpatient cardiac surgery department and the outpatient cardiac clinic of Cardiothoracic Surgery Hospital in New Minia City. Four tools were utilized in collecting data; named Health Assessment Record; Six Minute Walk Distance Test; Modified Medical Research Council Scale (MMRC) for measuring dyspnea; and Nursing Educational Protocol Checklist.

Results: Current study findings displayed an improvement of total distance walked among study groups compared to the control group. It also showed highly statistically significant differences between the groups related to total distance walked after 12th-week post-discharge documented by p-value (0.000).
Conclusion: The current study findings concluded that the nursing educational protocol in the form of deep breathing, incentive spirometer; coughing, and early ambulation induces a significant improvement in hemodynamic variables and six-minute walk distance, recommending that hospitals should implement the nursing educational protocol as a routine hospital policy among all cardiac surgical patients in all age groups.