Physical self-efficacy, anxiety and depression following a 6-week cardiac rehabilitation programme

Abstract

Aim: To conduct a preliminary study to evaluate gender differences in psychological health status and physical activity (PA) levels in male and female patients following completion of 6 weeks of phase III cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Methods: Cardiac patients who had completed structured hospital-based CR were invited to participate in the study. Patients completed three questionnaires which evaluated current and past PA levels, physical self-efficacy, and anxiety and depression. Results: Sixteen male participants (mean age 55±8 years), and six females (mean age 55±7 years) were recruited. Males were significantly more active (12±9 hours of total PA per week) than females (8±4 hours of PA per week; P=0.018). Females with social support during exercise engaged in more weekly PA than those who exercise alone (P<0.05). Conversely, males performed more PA alone (14±9 hours) than with others (11±9 hours; P<0.05). Patients (males and females) who exercised in groups had higher physical self-efficacy than those that engaged in exercise alone (P<0.05). The HADS scores revealed that overall males and females were not anxious or depressed (depression sub-score: 3.0±2.4 versus 1.7±2.8; P=0.33; anxiety sub-score: 5.7±2.3 vs 4.3±3.5; P=0.37). A signifi cant gender by exercise environment (exercise alone or undertaken some group exercise) interaction was evident (P=0.045) for depression, but not for anxiety (P=0.122). Conclusion: These preliminary results indicate that gender differences in psychological well-being and physical activity status may exist following standardized short-term phase III cardiac rehabilitation. We recommend that CR services should consider the differing needs of both males and females.