Job-simulated phase II cardiac rehabilitation training: Part B. Effects of training

Abstract

Part A of the paper dealt with the overall comparison between the job-simulated phase II CR training program and a conventional phase II CR training program (control). This is part B of the two-part paper and reports on the effects of job-simulated phase II CR physical training program on job-related physical capabilities. Fifteen male and two female coronary heart disease (CHD) survivors (angioplasty and bypass patients) participated in the field study. These participants underwent training activities that simulated performance of physical work elements. Three different categories of activities were included: flexibility activities, dexterity activities, and strength oriented upper and whole body activities. A number of response measures (dynamic strength, its endurance (as indicated by number of cycles performed, time, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure), isokinetic strength (at five different speeds), time taken to complete various dexterity tests (Purdue pegboard test, O'Connor tweezer test, Pennsylvania bimanual test, and arm and shoulder hand tool set test), and angles achieved by various body parts (spine, neck, shoulder, knee, ankle, and wrist)) were recorded prior to training and after each set of six training sessions. A MANOVA was conducted to analyze the training effect for each dependent variable; training time (before beginning training and after each of the three sets of six training sessions) was the repeated measure. The results indicated that training had a very significant effect on most response measures ( p<0.01) and caused most response values to change appropriately (e.g. increase in strengths, reduction in dexterity tests' performance time, and increase in the flexibility of various joints). As indicated in part A of the paper, the job-simulated phase II CR training program fared better than conventional phase II CR training program (control) as far as the return to work (RTW) was concerned, and at least as good when comparing the physiological conditioning of the CHD survivors. With significant improvements in physical work capabilities, it is clear that the job-simulated phase II CR training program is a serious contender to replace conventional phase II CR training programs. Relevance to industry A new phase II cardiac rehabilitation training program, based on elements of physical work, is described. It is shown that such a program not only improves CHD survivors' work-related physical capabilities, it also improves their physiological conditioning and vastly increases their chances of returning to work when compared to a conventional phase II cardiac rehabilitation program.