The Effect of Modified Cardiac Rehabilitation on Erectile Dysfunction and Coping with Stress in Men Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction and stress are among common post-CABG surgery complications. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of modified cardiac rehabilitation on “erectile dysfunction” and “coping with stress”. In the present clinical trial study, 126 male patients undergoing CABG surgery were randomly assigned to treatment (63 patients) and control (63 patients) groups. Control group received conventional cardiac rehabilitation program over 26 sessions. Treatment group received modified cardiac rehabilitation program, including Kegel exercise and training on stress coping strategies in the first four sessions of their rehabilitation program. Patients were assessed before and after cardiac rehabilitation program using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) questionnaire and Endler and Parker Coping with Stress Scale. Data were analyzed in SPSS using ANOVA, T, and Chi square tests. Mean erectile function score significantly increased in both treatment and control groups, but the difference in mean scores for improvement in erectile function was greater in treatment group (P < 0.001). Analysis showed no significant difference in mean differences between two groups in all subscales of stress coping. Intragroup analysis showed significant differences in both groups between mean differences before and after intervention in task-oriented styles {treatment group (P < 0.002), control group (P < 0.001)}, and social diversion-oriented. The results showed that conventional and modified cardiac rehabilitation can be effective in improving erectile dysfunction and stress coping in task-oriented and social diversion-oriented styles in the men patients with left ventricular ejection fraction over 30% following CABG surgery. However, modified cardiac rehabilitation has greater benefits for improving erectile dysfunction.