ASSESSING DIFFERENCES IN MOOD STATE BEFORE AND AFTER SIX WEEKS OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION

Abstract

Prior studies show that cardiac rehabilitation (CR) can improve mood state. PURPOSE: To assess potential differences in mood state due to CR based on age (< 65 y, ≥ 65 y), gender, etiology of illness (coronary artery disease, heart failure) and baseline mood state. METHODS: We tested 125 patients (male = 85; mean age 66 ± 12 y)before and after six weeks in a phase II CR education and exercise program. Patients were enrolled between December 6, 2000 and October 10, 2001. Mood state was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) questionnaire, with a score ≥ 13 used to indicate excess anxiety and depression. RESULTS: At baseline, 44% (55/125) demonstrated abnormal mood state, with females (60% vs. 36% for men, p < 0.03) and those < 65 years of age (57% vs. 35% for patients ≥ 65 y, p < 0.03) more likely to exhibit the disorder. Overall, HAD score at baseline was 11.8 ± 6.7 and it improved at follow-up (−2.2 ± 5.0, p = 0.01). Differences in this overall effect after CR were not evident (p > 0.05 when comparing gender, age and type of illness. However, those with an elevated (≥ 13) mood score at baseline (mean = 18.00 ± 4.8) improved at follow-up (−4.1 ± 6.0) compared (p < 0.0001) to patients with a baseline value of < 13 (−0.7 ± 3.4). This improvement in mood state after CR in patients with an elevated baseline value was not influenced (p > 0.05) by gender or age group. CONCLUSION: Almost one-half of patients enrolled in CR presented with an abnormal mood state, those with an abnormal mood state at baseline improved with CR, and this improvement was not unique to a specific gender or age group.