Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cardiovascular rehabilitation'

The purpose of this research study was to examine the nature and scope of nutrition counseling and/or education available to cardiac patients and the role of the Registered Dietitian (RD) in Cardiac Rehab Phase II Programs. One hundred and fifty programs were surveyed in regards to their program and the programs elements in regards to nutrition topics. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically examine the nature and scope of nutrition counseling and/or education and the role of the Registered Dietitian in Cardiac Rehab Phase II Programs.The results indicated that almost 75% of the programs surveyed offered nutrition counseling and/or education, regardless of the region examined. Also the majority of the programs were identified to have a Registered Dietitian on staff, but less than half reported a Registered Dietitian employment as full-time. There were also significant differences in regards to nutrition education topics among the regions. The results also uncovered a discrepancy between the perceived importance of having a Registered Dietitian on staff and their role as the primary provider of nutrition counseling and/or education.
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

The Department of Rehabilitative Services of the Commonwealth of Virginia is charged with the responsibility of assisting eligible citizens (clients) with physical and/or psychological handicaps to enter, return to, or remain in gainful employment. To accomplish this goal, it is often necessary to have the client undergo training in Job Search Skills (JSS). Part of this training includes helping clients to develop better job interviewing skills. Empirical evidence gathered in recent years indicates, however, that anxiety associated with job interviewing is a major problem for many clients. This study was designed to field test a relaxation training technique to help vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients reduce their job interview anxiety. The subjects were 60 adult VR clients (46 males and 14 females) participating in a five-day JSS training program. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: The experimental group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30). On the first day of the program, all subjects were administered the Trait Anxiety Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Experimental subjects received relaxation training and practiced self-relaxation during the five-day program. Control subjects received a placebo training exercise. On the fifth day of the program, all subjects completed the STAI State Anxiety Scale and had their blood pressure taken immediately prior to participating as the interviewee in an audio-videotaped simulation of a job interview. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, chi-square analysis, t-tests, and multiple regression analysis procedures. Results showed that the experimental group had significantly (p .01) lower state anxiety scores than the control group. In addition, the groups were found to differ significantly on trait anxiety, years of education, age, and body weight. The interaction effects of these variables were discussed. It was concluded that relaxation training had a significant effect in helping rehabilitation clients to reduce their job interview anxiety. The implications of the findings for JSS training programs were discussed.
Ed. D.

Various models of simulated weightlessness and resulting cardiovascular effects have been researched in the last 50 years of space exploration. Examples of such models are the Alter-G (Alt-G) treadmill used for body unweighting and head-up-tilt (HUT) model each providing similar cardiovascular effects, but differing in their stimulation of vestibular centers . Advantages of using the Alt-G include: use of lower body positive pressure (LBPP) to simulate hypogravity, it acts as a countermeasure to alleviate negative cardiovascular effects of standing and provides a constant vestibular stimulus. In addition, the Alt-G shorts themselves may be providing a certain degree of LBPP, acting as a compression garment. Therefore the purpose of this study was to determine the cardiovascular effects of Alt-G shorts and how effective they are as countermeasure to deconditioning effects of space flight. This study tested cardiovascular changes in 12 men and women at 0 and 80 degrees head-up-tilt (HUT0 / HUT80) with and without Alt-G shorts using 5-lead ECG, 10-lead impedance, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements at finger and arm. The tilt-induced increase in mean heart rate (HR) was significantly smaller when subjects wore the Alt-G shorts. Shorts ended up reducing HR by 2.3 bpm in supine control and by 6.7 bpm at HUT80 (p0.05. Other cardiovascular variables did not show any significant effect from shorts. In conclusion, this study was in line with results from other studies that used compression garments to determine cardiovascular effects of LBPP.

This thesis evaluates a chronic condition self-management program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in urban south-east Queensland who have or are at risk of cardiovascular disease. Outcomes showed short-term improvements for some anthropometry measures which could be a trend for improvement in other anthropometry indicators over the longer term. The program was of particular benefit for participants who had several social and emotional wellbeing conditions. The use of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conceptual framework was critical in undertaking culturally competent quantitative research in this project.

Orientador: Luiz Carlos Marques Vanderlei
Resumo: INTRODUÇÃO: A reposição das perdas hídricas decorrentes da atividade física é recomendada em consensos internacionais para indivíduos sadios e atletas de alto rendimento. Entretanto, permanece pouco compreendida a sua influência quando administrada, igualmente, durante e/ou após o exercício, sobre a modulação autonômica cardíaca, frequência cardíaca de recuperação (FCR) e percepções subjetivas de esforço (PSE), desconforto (PSD) e recuperação (PSR) de indivíduos com alteração autonômica conhecida, como os coronariopatas. OBJETIVO: Investigar a influência da ingestão hídrica realizada durante e/ou após uma sessão de reabilitação cardiovascular (RC) de intensidade moderada sobre a modulação autonômica cardíaca, FCR, PSE, PSD e PSR de coronariopatas. MÉTODOS: Foram recrutados 31 adultos acima de 45 anos de idade com coronariopatia isquêmica, participantes de programas de RC, os quais foram submetidos a dois desenhos de estudos, ambos compostos por três etapas (48 horas de intervalo entre elas): I) Teste de esforço máximo; II) Protocolo controle (PC); III) Protocolo experimental (PH). Os PC e PH de ambos os estudos foram compostos por atividades realizadas em RC convencional, com ingestão de água no PH, calculada a partir da variação de massa corporal no PC. A modulação autonômica foi avaliada utilizando índices de variabilidade da frequência cardíaca calculados nos domínios do tempo, frequência e geométricos durante o repouso, exercício e recuperação. Foram avaliados ainda a FCR... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The replacement of water losses due to physical activity is recommended in international consensus for healthy individuals and high performance athletes. However, its influence when administered equally during and / or after exercise on cardiac autonomic modulation, recovery heart rate (HRR) and subjective perceptions of exertion (PSE), discomfort (PSD) and recovery (PSR) of individuals with known autonomic alterations, such as coronary artery disease, remains poorly understood AIM: To investigate the influence of fluid intake during and / or after a moderate intensity cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) session on coronary heart disease autonomic modulation, HRR, PSE, PSD and PSR. METHODS: We recruited 31 adults over 45 years of age with ischemic coronary artery disease who participated in CR programs, who underwent two study designs, both composed of three steps (48 hours apart): I) maximum effort; II) Control Protocol (PC); III) Experimental Protocol (PH). The PC and PH of both studies were composed by activities performed in conventional CR, with water intake in the PH, calculated from the body mass variation in the PC. Autonomic modulation was evaluated using heart rate variability indices calculated in the time, frequency and geometric domains during rest, exercise and recovery. FCR, PSE, PSD and PSR were also evaluated. RESULTS: Hydration during exercise and recovery promoted significant difference between protocols (RMSSD - p value = 0.024; SD1 - p value = ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Doutor

Orientador: Otávio Rizzi Coelho
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
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Resumo: As doenças cardiovasculares são a maior causa de morte e morbidade em todo mundo e os tradicionais fatores de risco vêm aumentando em muitos países devido ao estilo de vida baseado em maus hábitos de vida. Hábitos cotidianos de prática regular de exercícios físicos, alimentação saudável e controle de estresse são fatores determinantes na prevenção e reabilitação das doenças cardiovasculares. Contudo, fatores sócioeconômicos e disponibilidade de tratamento são quesitos determinantes para àqueles que dependem do serviço público. Esta pesquisa analisou o perfil de pessoas com doença arterial coronariana (DAC) do Sistema Público de Saúde (SUS) que fazem Reabilitação Cardíaca Supervisionada (RCS), comparando com pessoas com DAC do SUS que nunca fizeram RCS e com pessoas com DAC do SUS que já fizeram a RCS e que já receberam alta do programa. MÉTODOS: Fizeram parte desta pesquisa 105 (cento e cinco) pessoas de ambos os sexos com doenças coronarianas provindas do SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde). Destas, 35 pessoas (23 homens e 12 mulheres) com idade média de 62 anos (dp 7,5 anos) fizeram parte do grupo I (participantes da RCS), 35 pessoas (26 homens e 9 mulheres) com idade média de 66 anos (dp 5,8 anos) fizeram parte do grupo II (exparticipantes da RCS) e 35 pessoas (18 homens e 17 mulheres) com idade média de 63 anos (dp 6,5 anos) fizeram parte do grupo III (controle). Os intrumentos de medida utilizados foram: Questionário de Qualidade de Vida (SF-36); Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ-forma longa); Questionário de Freqüência Alimentar (QFA) Semi-Quantitativo; Questionário Sócio-Econômico (ABEP); medidas antropométricas (peso, altura e circunferência abdominal); exames laboratoriais (glicemia de jejum, colesterol total, Hdl-col, Ldl-col e triglicerídeos); e ficha complementar (questões sobre exercício e tabagismo). A análise estatística adotada para as variáveis intervalares foi a razão F e DHS de Tukey. Para as variáveis nominais foi utilizado o teste Qui-quadrado. O nível de significância utilizado foi de p ? 0,05. O programa SPSS 17.0 foi utilizado na descrição e análise dos dados. RESULTADOS: Todos os domínios do SF-36 obtiveram escores melhores no grupo I e piores no grupo III. O IPAQ retratou nível de atividade física moderada para todos os grupos, onde a dimensão Lazer foi a que mais contribui nos escores total dos grupos I e II, e a dimensão Trabalho foi a que mais contribui no escore total do grupo III. Nos hábitos alimentares foi detectado défice de Vitamina A no grupo III feminino; défice de Zinco em todos os grupos masculinos e nos grupos II e III femininos; e excesso de ingestão de colesterol em todos os grupos femininos e masculinos. O ABEP mostrou que o grupo III é o que tem menor padrão econômino (classe C1). Todos os grupos apresentaram classificação Sobrepeso no IMC, contudo observou-se distribuição de gordura diferenciada entre os grupos através da circunferência abdominal, onde o grupo I não apresentou risco, o grupo II apresentou risco no gênero feminino e o grupo III apresentou risco em ambos os gêneros. Nos exames laboratoriais todos os grupos apresentaram glicemia de jejum alterada. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes do programa RCS apresentaram melhor qualidade de vida, maior nível de atividade física regular e caracterísiticas antropométricas de circunferência abdominal ausente de risco para doença cardiovascular. A RCS é efetiva na inserção da prática regular de exercício físico e controle dos fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular e a presença de um professor/orientador foi considerada o fator determinante na prática regular de exercício físico alegado pela maioria das pessoas em todos os grupos estudados
Abstract: The cardiovascular diseases are the largest cause of death and morbidity in all the world and traditional risk factors are increasing in a lot of countries because a bad life style. Regular exercise, health alimentation and stress control are determinative factors in the cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation. However, socioeconomic factors and availability of treatments are crucial questions for those who depend on public service. Therefore, this research suggests to analyze people with Coronary Arterial Disease (CAD) from the Public Health Service (PHS) that make a Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR), confronting people with CAD from the PHS that never made CR and people with CAD from the PHS that made CR and finished the CR program stage 3. METHODS: The sampling was composed of 105 people with coronary arterial disease from the public health service. 35 people (23 men and 12 women), average age of 62 years (SD=7,5) composed the group I (participants of cardiac rehabilitation); 35 people (26 men and 9 women), average age of 66 years (SD=5,8) composed the group II (former participants of cardiac rehabilitation); and 35 people (18 men and 17 women) average age of 63 years (SD=6,5) composed the group III (control). The instruments used were: Quality of Life Questionnaire SF-36, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ- long form), Food Frequency Questionnaire, Socioeconomic Questionnaire (ABEP), Anthropometric measure (weight, stature and abdominal circumference), Laboratory test (glucose concentration, total cholesterol, cholesterol-HDL, cholesterol-LDL and triglycerides), and complementary card (questions about exercise and smoking). The statistical analysis adopted for the variable interval was the statistical F and DHS of Turkey method. For the nominal variables, it was used the square-X test. The significance level used was p ? 0,05. The Statistical Program SPSS 17.0 was used on the description and analysis of the data. RESULTS: The group I showed the best scores in quality of life in all domains. The higher difference was observed between the groups I and III in all domains. The IPAQ showed moderate physical activity level for all the groups in MET-minute/week (I=2757,3 II=1712,9 III=2125,3). The dimension that contributed the most to the average in each group was the Leisure for the groups I and II and Work for the group III. The food habits showed vitamin A nutrient deficit in the III female group; zinc deficit in the all male groups and II/III female groups; and cholesterol excess in all the female and male groups. The smallest socioeconomic level (C1/ABEP)) was in the III group. All the groups showed the same IMC classification (overweight), but different body fat distribution between the groups beyond abdominal circumference analysis (I= no risk, II= risk (female) and III= risk (gender both). All the groups showed altered glucose concentration (I=108,2 II=112,6 III=118,2). CONCLUSION: The patients from Cardiac Rehabilitation Program showed the best quality of life, the greater physical activity regular level and abdominal circumference without risk to cardiovascular disease. The CR is effective in the regular physical activity practice and risk factors control to cardiovascular disease and the teacher/instructor was considered the determinant factor in the regular physical activity practice alleged almost every patient from all the groups
Mestrado
Ciencias Basicas
Mestre em Clinica Medica

Kardiovaskulära sjukdomar är den vanligaste dödsorsaken i världen. Hjärtrehabilitering är en omtumlande situation för de drabbade. Att som vårdpersonal ha insikt om patienters erfarenheter av hjärtrehabilitering efter kardiovaskulär sjukdom är betydelsefullt för att kunna tillgodose en god och personcentrerad omvårdnad. Den strukturerade litteraturstudiens syfte var att belysa patienters erfarenheter av hjärtrehabilitering vid kardiovaskulära sjukdomar. Studiens resultat grundades på 11 vetenskapliga artiklar med kvalitativ ansats. Tre huvudteman framkom i resultatet; Erfarenhet av stöd, Erfarenhet av information och Erfarenhet av fysisk aktivitet. I resultatet framkom det att peer support har en betydande roll i hjärtrehabiliteringen, både ur ett socialt- och psykiskt perspektiv. Det fanns en osäkerhet kring fysisk aktivitet efter insjuknande, framförallt vid kroppsliga reaktioner som påminde om insjuknandet. Den stora mängd information som gavs i den akuta fasen ansågs vara svår att absorbera. Den erhållna informationen ansågs vara mer generell och inte skräddarsydd efter patientens egna hinder och möjligheter. Det finns ett behov av vidare utbildning om patienters erfarenheter hos vårdpersonal för att kunna applicera en god och personcentrerad omvårdnad till patientgruppen.
Cardiovascular diseases is the most common cause of death in the world. Cardiac rehabilitation is an difficult time for the affected. Health professionals need insight in patients experiences of cardiac rehabilitation to be able to provide good and person centered care. The aim of the structured literature study was to explore patients affected by cardiovascular diseases experiences of cardiac rehabilitation. the result of the study was based on 11 scientific articles with a qualitative approach. Three main themes emerged: Experiences of support, Experiences of information and Experiences of physical activity. The result illustrate the significance of peer support in cardiac rehabilitation for participants, both social and psychological. Participants experienced insecurity regarding physical activity, especially because it reminded them of their negative experiences of chest pain and increased heart rate.The information received at the acute phase was hard for the patients to absorb. The information was perceived as general by the patients and not customized for their specific situation. A need for further education about patients experiences for health professionals is seen for them to be able to provide a good and person centered care

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Thermotherapy has been indicated by some researchers as a technique in the treatment of lymphedema. Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether the association of heat with mechanical lymph drainage favors the reduction in volume of lymphedematous and healthy lower extremities. Method: Fifteen patients with lymphedema of the lower extremities with ages ranging from 18 to 79 years old (mean of 44.4 years) were enrolled in this study. Volume changes were evaluated for mechanical lymph drainage both in isolation and associated with heat. Mechanical lymph drainage was performed using the RA3000/Godoy ® apparatus and the Thermolipo (Advice®) apparatus was utilized for the simultaneous application of heat. The volume of lower extremities, before and after treatment, was evaluated by volumetry. The Wilcoxon s test was utilized for statistical analysis with the significance level set at 5% (p-value < 0.05). Results: Significant differences were observed comparing lymph drainage in isolation and when associated with heat of lymphedematous (p-value = 0.0008) and healthy (p-value = 0.028) limbs. There were significant reductions in volume with treatment using mechanical lymph drainage in isolation both for lymphedematous (p-value = 0.0001) and healthy (p-value = 0.006) limbs. However, no significant difference was seen with the simultaneous application of heat (p-value = 0.56 and 0.51 for lymphedematous and healthy limbs, respectively). Conclusion: The association of surface heat with mechanical lymph drainage does not favor a reduction in volume of lymphedematous or healthy lower extremities.
A termoterapia tem sido sugerida por alguns pesquisadores como forma de tratamento do linfedema. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se a associação do calor à drenagem linfática mecânica favorece a redução do volume de membros inferiores linfedematosos e sadios. Método: Participaram do estudo 15 portadores de linfedema de membros inferiores, com idades entre 18 e 79 anos (média de 44,4 anos). Os mesmos voluntários foram avaliados quanto ao efeito da drenagem linfática mecânica isolada, e de sua associação ao calor, totalizando 88 avaliações. A drenagem linfática mecânica foi realizada com o dispositivo RA3000/Godoy®, e para a aplicação simultânea do calor foi utilizado o aparelho Thermolipo (Advice®). A avaliação dos membros inferiores, imediatamente antes e após o protocolo de tratamento, foi realizada pela volumetria. Na análise estatística utilizou-se o teste de Wilcoxon, com nível de significância fixado em 5% (p ≤ 0,05). Resultados: Houve diferença significativa na comparação entre os efeitos da drenagem isolada e sua associação ao calor nos membros com linfedema (p = 0,0008) e sadios (p = 0,028). Os valores pré e pós tratamento com a drenagem mecânica isolada apresentaram diferença significativa tanto nos membros com linfedema (p = 0,0001) quanto sadios (p = 0,006), mas não houve diferença significativa com a aplicação simultânea do calor em ambos os membros (p = 0,56 e p = 0,51, respectivamente). Conclusão: A associação do calor superficial à drenagem linfática mecânica não favoreceu a redução volumétrica de membros inferiores linfedematosos ou sadios.

Il presente elaborato ha come tema il ruolo dello psicologo clinico nella riabilitazione cardiologica, con una particolare attenzione alle sfide poste nel sostenere e facilitare il cambiamento dello stile di vita del paziente affetto da cardiopatia ischemica. La tesi si articola in tre sezioni, ognuna delle quali comprende un’introduzione teorica, con spunti sia di natura clinica che riferimenti al contesto della riabilitazione, e un contributo empirico che intende fornire una prospettiva innovativa al campo di riferimento. Il primo capitolo si apre con una breve descrizione della cardiopatia ischemica e dei fenomeni ad essa clinicamente legati. Queste informazioni introduttive si riveleranno preziose nello svolgersi dei capitoli successivi, in quanto consentono di approfondire il contesto della riabilitazione cardiologica, i suoi principali obiettivi e il razionale alla base dell'intervento clinico proposto. A questo proposito, verrà sottolineata la centralità dell’esercizio fisico come outcome funzionale della riabilitazione. In linea con questo affondo teorico, il primo contributo empirico è volto a indagare la relazione tra ridotta capacità di esercizio e sintomatologia ansiosa e depressiva, e a valutare la direzione di questa associazione attraverso un Cross-Lagged Panel Design che ha incluso 212 pazienti afferenti all’Unità di Riabilitazione Cardiovascolare dell’Ospedale S. Luca di Milano. I risultati sono discussi alla luce del ruolo che lo psicologo può svolgere per massimizzare il beneficio che il paziente può ottenere dalla riabilitazione, anche nei termini di capacità d’esercizio. Questo tema, accennato nella discussione del primo studio, viene ampliato nel secondo capitolo. Il secondo capitolo introduce infatti il modello dell’Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), riferimento teorico che costituisce l’ossatura dell’intervento presentato nella terza parte dell’elaborato. In particolare viene approfondito il ruolo della flessibilità psicologica, che rappresenta il cuore clinico del modello ACT, in quanto meccanismo primario di azione terapeutica. Per quanto esistano diversi strumenti per misurare questo costrutto, nessuno di essi è stato pensato e validato per il contesto cardiovascolare. La sezione empirica del secondo capitolo si riferisce allo sviluppo di un nuovo questionario per la misurazione della flessibilità psicologica adatto al contesto in esame - il CVD-AAQ, ovvero CardioVascular Disease Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - di cui vengono valutate le proprietà psicometriche. Lo studio si è avvalso di un secondo campione di 275 pazienti, arruolati nella medesima Unità Operativa. Il CVD-AAQ viene proposto e descritto in quanto misura di outcome dello studio presentato nella terza e ultima parte dell’elaborato. 8 Il terzo capitolo presenta lo studio ACTonHEART, un trial clinico randomizzato finalizzato a valutare l’efficacia e la fattibilità di un protocollo di intervento basato sull’ACT, cui scopo è migliorare il benessere e sostenere il cambiamento dello stile di vita dei pazienti ischemici in riabilitazione, aumentandone la flessibilità psicologica. Novantadue pazienti sono stati arruolati e allocati al gruppo sperimentale (N= 59) e di controllo (N= 33), seguendo uno schema di randomizzazione sbilanciata 2:1. Il gruppo di controllo ha svolto la sola riabilitazione, quello sperimentale in aggiunta ha partecipato all’intervento di gruppo ACTonHEART, il cui manuale è presentato integralmente in forma manualizzata. Il protocollo ha una durata di sei ore, suddivise in tre sedute, ognuna delle quali è incentrata su un principio clinico dell’ACT e affronta un aspetto diverso del cambiamento dello stile di vita richiesto al paziente ischemico in un’ottica di prevenzione secondaria. Gli outcome dell’ACTonHEART sono i seguenti: Body Mass Index, flessibilità psicologica e benessere. Ognuno di essi è stato misurato in tre occasioni: prima della riabilitazione (t0), al suo termine (t1) e in un follow-up a sei mesi (t2). Considerata la presenza di tre misurazioni e il fatto che solo i pazienti assegnati al gruppo sperimentale hanno partecipato a un trattamento di gruppo, da un punto di vista metodologico l’ACTonHEART si configura come un Partially Nested Design a tre livelli, un disegno di ricerca la cui struttura verrà brevemente descritta in una sezione dedicata. Per valutare l’efficacia del trattamento è stata infine svolta un’analisi multilivello, i cui risultati sono presentati e discussi nella sezione finale dell’elaborato.
The thematic core of the present paper consists in the role of clinical psychology in cardiac rehabilitation, with a specific focus on the challenges faced when supporting the changes in lifestyle required to patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. This thesis is divided into three broad sections. Every section includes a theoretical introduction, describing both clinical and rehabilitation state-of-the art practices and research results, and an empirical contribution aiming to provide an innovative perspective on the topics considered. The first chapter includes a brief description of ischemic heart disease and its clinically related phenomena. This introductory information will prove valuable in the subsequent chapters, as it deepens the context of cardiovascular rehabilitation, describing its main goals and the rationale behind its mode of intervention, as well as the centrality of exercise capacity as functional outcome. Starting from this theoretical background, the first empirical contribution aims at investigating the relationship between reduced exercise capacity and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The direction of this association will be evaluated through a Cross-Lagged Panel Design that included 212 patients recruited in the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Unit of S. Luca Hospital in Milan. Results are discussed in light of the role the psychologist plays in order to maximize the impact the rehabilitation has on the patient, even in terms of exercise capacity. This theme, introduced in the discussion of the first study, is further explored in the second chapter. The second chapter introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the theoretical framework of ACTonHEART, which is the intervention presented in the third part of the thesis. In particular, psychological flexibility will be discussed as the primary mechanism of therapeutic action proposed by the ACT model. While there are several tools to measure this construct, none of them have been validated for the cardiovascular context. The empirical section of the second chapter presents a disease-specific new questionnaire for measuring the psychological flexibility, the Cardiovascular Disease Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (CVD-AAQ), whose psychometric properties are evaluated. The validation study examined a second sample of 275 patients enrolled in the same hospital. The CVD-AAQ will be used as a measure of outcome for the intervention presented in the third and last part of the elaborate. The third chapter presents the ACTonHEART study, a RCT aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of an ACT-based intervention protocol, whose purpose is to improve well-being and support the change in lifestyle of ischemic patients, through an increase in psychological flexibility. 10 Ninety-two patients were enrolled and randomized, following an unbalanced randomization ratio of 2:1, to the experimental group (N= 59) and the control group (N= 33). The control group was administered Treatment-as-Usual (TAU), while experimental subjects participated in the ACTonHEART group intervention in addition to the cardiac rehabilitation process. In this section the ACTonHEART protocol will be entirely presented in its manualized form. The ACTonHEART protocol consists in three sessions for a total of six hours. Each session focuses on an ACT clinical principle and addresses a different aspect of the lifestyle changes asked to the ischemic patient for secondary prevention. The outcomes considered for the ACTonHEART are the following: Body Mass Index, Psychological Flexibility and Well-Being. Participants were assessed at baseline (t0), at the end of the rehabilitation period (t1), and at a six-month follow-up (t2). The ACTonHEART is a Partially nested Design with three levels, a research methodology whose structure will be briefly outlined in this section. An appropriate multilevel analysis was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, whose results are presented and discussed in the final section of the thesis.

Il presente elaborato ha come tema il ruolo dello psicologo clinico nella riabilitazione cardiologica, con una particolare attenzione alle sfide poste nel sostenere e facilitare il cambiamento dello stile di vita del paziente affetto da cardiopatia ischemica. La tesi si articola in tre sezioni, ognuna delle quali comprende un’introduzione teorica, con spunti sia di natura clinica che riferimenti al contesto della riabilitazione, e un contributo empirico che intende fornire una prospettiva innovativa al campo di riferimento. Il primo capitolo si apre con una breve descrizione della cardiopatia ischemica e dei fenomeni ad essa clinicamente legati. Queste informazioni introduttive si riveleranno preziose nello svolgersi dei capitoli successivi, in quanto consentono di approfondire il contesto della riabilitazione cardiologica, i suoi principali obiettivi e il razionale alla base dell'intervento clinico proposto. A questo proposito, verrà sottolineata la centralità dell’esercizio fisico come outcome funzionale della riabilitazione. In linea con questo affondo teorico, il primo contributo empirico è volto a indagare la relazione tra ridotta capacità di esercizio e sintomatologia ansiosa e depressiva, e a valutare la direzione di questa associazione attraverso un Cross-Lagged Panel Design che ha incluso 212 pazienti afferenti all’Unità di Riabilitazione Cardiovascolare dell’Ospedale S. Luca di Milano. I risultati sono discussi alla luce del ruolo che lo psicologo può svolgere per massimizzare il beneficio che il paziente può ottenere dalla riabilitazione, anche nei termini di capacità d’esercizio. Questo tema, accennato nella discussione del primo studio, viene ampliato nel secondo capitolo. Il secondo capitolo introduce infatti il modello dell’Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), riferimento teorico che costituisce l’ossatura dell’intervento presentato nella terza parte dell’elaborato. In particolare viene approfondito il ruolo della flessibilità psicologica, che rappresenta il cuore clinico del modello ACT, in quanto meccanismo primario di azione terapeutica. Per quanto esistano diversi strumenti per misurare questo costrutto, nessuno di essi è stato pensato e validato per il contesto cardiovascolare. La sezione empirica del secondo capitolo si riferisce allo sviluppo di un nuovo questionario per la misurazione della flessibilità psicologica adatto al contesto in esame - il CVD-AAQ, ovvero CardioVascular Disease Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - di cui vengono valutate le proprietà psicometriche. Lo studio si è avvalso di un secondo campione di 275 pazienti, arruolati nella medesima Unità Operativa. Il CVD-AAQ viene proposto e descritto in quanto misura di outcome dello studio presentato nella terza e ultima parte dell’elaborato. 8 Il terzo capitolo presenta lo studio ACTonHEART, un trial clinico randomizzato finalizzato a valutare l’efficacia e la fattibilità di un protocollo di intervento basato sull’ACT, cui scopo è migliorare il benessere e sostenere il cambiamento dello stile di vita dei pazienti ischemici in riabilitazione, aumentandone la flessibilità psicologica. Novantadue pazienti sono stati arruolati e allocati al gruppo sperimentale (N= 59) e di controllo (N= 33), seguendo uno schema di randomizzazione sbilanciata 2:1. Il gruppo di controllo ha svolto la sola riabilitazione, quello sperimentale in aggiunta ha partecipato all’intervento di gruppo ACTonHEART, il cui manuale è presentato integralmente in forma manualizzata. Il protocollo ha una durata di sei ore, suddivise in tre sedute, ognuna delle quali è incentrata su un principio clinico dell’ACT e affronta un aspetto diverso del cambiamento dello stile di vita richiesto al paziente ischemico in un’ottica di prevenzione secondaria. Gli outcome dell’ACTonHEART sono i seguenti: Body Mass Index, flessibilità psicologica e benessere. Ognuno di essi è stato misurato in tre occasioni: prima della riabilitazione (t0), al suo termine (t1) e in un follow-up a sei mesi (t2). Considerata la presenza di tre misurazioni e il fatto che solo i pazienti assegnati al gruppo sperimentale hanno partecipato a un trattamento di gruppo, da un punto di vista metodologico l’ACTonHEART si configura come un Partially Nested Design a tre livelli, un disegno di ricerca la cui struttura verrà brevemente descritta in una sezione dedicata. Per valutare l’efficacia del trattamento è stata infine svolta un’analisi multilivello, i cui risultati sono presentati e discussi nella sezione finale dell’elaborato.
The thematic core of the present paper consists in the role of clinical psychology in cardiac rehabilitation, with a specific focus on the challenges faced when supporting the changes in lifestyle required to patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. This thesis is divided into three broad sections. Every section includes a theoretical introduction, describing both clinical and rehabilitation state-of-the art practices and research results, and an empirical contribution aiming to provide an innovative perspective on the topics considered. The first chapter includes a brief description of ischemic heart disease and its clinically related phenomena. This introductory information will prove valuable in the subsequent chapters, as it deepens the context of cardiovascular rehabilitation, describing its main goals and the rationale behind its mode of intervention, as well as the centrality of exercise capacity as functional outcome. Starting from this theoretical background, the first empirical contribution aims at investigating the relationship between reduced exercise capacity and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The direction of this association will be evaluated through a Cross-Lagged Panel Design that included 212 patients recruited in the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Unit of S. Luca Hospital in Milan. Results are discussed in light of the role the psychologist plays in order to maximize the impact the rehabilitation has on the patient, even in terms of exercise capacity. This theme, introduced in the discussion of the first study, is further explored in the second chapter. The second chapter introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the theoretical framework of ACTonHEART, which is the intervention presented in the third part of the thesis. In particular, psychological flexibility will be discussed as the primary mechanism of therapeutic action proposed by the ACT model. While there are several tools to measure this construct, none of them have been validated for the cardiovascular context. The empirical section of the second chapter presents a disease-specific new questionnaire for measuring the psychological flexibility, the Cardiovascular Disease Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (CVD-AAQ), whose psychometric properties are evaluated. The validation study examined a second sample of 275 patients enrolled in the same hospital. The CVD-AAQ will be used as a measure of outcome for the intervention presented in the third and last part of the elaborate. The third chapter presents the ACTonHEART study, a RCT aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of an ACT-based intervention protocol, whose purpose is to improve well-being and support the change in lifestyle of ischemic patients, through an increase in psychological flexibility. 10 Ninety-two patients were enrolled and randomized, following an unbalanced randomization ratio of 2:1, to the experimental group (N= 59) and the control group (N= 33). The control group was administered Treatment-as-Usual (TAU), while experimental subjects participated in the ACTonHEART group intervention in addition to the cardiac rehabilitation process. In this section the ACTonHEART protocol will be entirely presented in its manualized form. The ACTonHEART protocol consists in three sessions for a total of six hours. Each session focuses on an ACT clinical principle and addresses a different aspect of the lifestyle changes asked to the ischemic patient for secondary prevention. The outcomes considered for the ACTonHEART are the following: Body Mass Index, Psychological Flexibility and Well-Being. Participants were assessed at baseline (t0), at the end of the rehabilitation period (t1), and at a six-month follow-up (t2). The ACTonHEART is a Partially nested Design with three levels, a research methodology whose structure will be briefly outlined in this section. An appropriate multilevel analysis was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, whose results are presented and discussed in the final section of the thesis.

Introduction: Diabetes is characterized by insufficient production of insulin and/or incapacity of this hormone in playing its functions. Such disease impairs the function of the endothelium, the latter capable of regulating the vascular tone and important in the control of inflammatory response as well. Once dysfunctional, the endothelium no longer exhibits such functions, occurring mostly redox imbalance, this one evident in diabetic patients. Nowadays, several studies point to endothelial dysfunction as a contributor in the development of diabetic vascular complications, while the practice of physical activity, although of low intensity, brings benefits in the handling of type 2 diabetes, including reduction of cardiovascular risk factors. Physical intervention as a therapeutic proposal appears to be a promising way in the clinical management of diabetes mellitus, probably avoiding the progression of systemic complications. Aim: To assess the vascular function and the REDOX balance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) before and after the cardiovascular rehabilitation for six weeks. Methods: 43 diabetic female patients aged 57.50 ± 2.02 years were selected from the ambulatory of Endocrinology at Prof. Alberto Antunes Teaching Hospital (Federal University of Alagoas). The diagnosis for T2DM was established according to the criteria of the Brazilian Society of Diabetes (2007). Initial assessment was performed by laboratory and clinical evaluation. The cardiovascular rehabilitation program consisted of six weeks of aerobic training (50 to 70% of the maximum heart rate), associated to endurance training. Four patients have completed the six weeks rehabilitation program. Assessment of biochemical profile (fasting and postprandial glucose, glicosilated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, uric acid, albumin and creatinin), REDOX balance (SOD and catalase activity and lipid peroxidation) and quality of life (through the application of the SF-36) were performed before and after the rehabilitation program period. Indirect assessment of vascular function was performed by the Augmentation Index (AI), wave reflection, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, which were obtained by the left radial artery tonometry (HEM-9000 AI device). Physical capacity was assessed by the six-minute walk test. Results: After rehabilitation, there was a significant reduction in the serum albumin levels (3.52 ± 0.478 vs 3.85 ± 0.50 mg/dL, P=0.0159) and an increase in the serum acid uric levels (5.00 ± 0.25 vs 4.57 ± 0.21 mg/dL, P=0.0298), without, however, alterations in the creatinin levels (P=0.3760). It was observed a reduction in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (141.50 ± 3.67 vs 117.00 ± 6.01 mmHg, p<0.01; 77.75 ± 1.48 vs 71.25 ± 3.03 mmHg, P<0.05, respectively) and in the pulse pressure (63.75 ± 2.29 vs 45.750 ± 3.68 mmHg, P<0.01), without improvement in the Augmentation Index, with an improvement in five parameters during the assessment of the quality of life: physical functioning (25.00 ± 17.56 vs 93.75 ± 6.25 %, P<0.05), vitality (31.250 ± 10.48 vs 87.50 ± 5.20 %, P<0.05), social functioning (50.00 ± 17.68 vs 100.00 ± 0.00 %, P<0.05), role physical (47.50 ± 8.53 vs 92.50 ± 3.22 %, P<0.01) and bodily pain (21.62 ± 10.68 vs 65.75± 12.49 %, P<0.01). There were no statistically significant changes neither in the glycemic and lipid profiles nor in the functional capacity. Conclusion: The cardiovascular rehabilitation program during six weeks in diabetic patients was capable of promoting improvement in hemodynamic parametres and in the quality of life, without greater changes in the biochemical profile and functional capacity. These observations permit to consider that in diabetic patients the cardiovascular rehabilitation should be initiated as soon as possible to promote a reduction in the cardiovascular risk in these individuals.
Introdução: O diabetes caracteriza-se pela produção insuficiente de insulina e/ou pela incapacidade desse hormônio em desempenhar suas funções. Tal doença prejudica a função do endotélio, tecido este capaz de regular o tônus vascular e a resposta inflamatória. Quando disfuncional, esta camada celular não mais exibe tais funções, ocorrendo, principalmente, o desbalanço redox, evidente em pacientes diabéticos. Atualmente, diversos estudos apontam para a disfunção endotelial como contribuinte para o desenvolvimento das complicações vasculares diabéticas, ao passo que a prática de atividade física, ainda que de baixa intensidade, traz benefícios no manejo do diabetes mellitus tipo 2, incluindo redução dos fatores de risco cardiovascular. Desta forma, a intervenção física como proposta terapêutica apresenta-se promissora no manejo clinico do diabetes mellitus, podendo evitar a progressão de complicações sistêmicas. Objetivo: Avaliar a função vascular e o balanço redox em pacientes portadores de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DMII), antes e após a reabilitação cardiovascular por seis semanas. Método: 43 pacientes do sexo feminino com idade média de 57,50 ± 2,02 foram selecionadas do ambulatório de Endocrinologia do Hospital Universitário Prof. Alberto Antunes (Universidade Federal de Alagoas). O diagnóstico de DMII foi estabelecido de acordo com os critérios da Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes (2007). A avaliação inicial foi feita através de exames clínicos e laboratoriais. O programa de reabilitação cardiovascular consistiu de seis semanas de exercício aeróbio (50 a 70% da freqüência cardíaca máxima) associado a exercícios resistidos. Quatro pacientes completaram as seis semanas de reabilitação. Avaliação do perfil bioquímico (glicemia de jejum e pós-prandial, hemoglobina glicosilada, colesterol total, VLDL, LDL, HDL, triglicerídeos, ácido úrico, albumina e creatinina), balanço REDOX (atividades da SOD e catalase e peroxidação lipídica) e qualidade de vida (através da aplicação do SF-36) foram realizadas antes e após o programa de reabilitação. A avaliação indireta da função vascular foi realizada através do Augmentation Index (AI), onda de reflexão, pressões arteriais sistólica e diastólica e pressão de pulso, obtidos por tonometria da artéria radial esquerda (com o equipamento HEM-9000 AI). A capacidade física foi avaliada através do teste de caminhada de seis minutos. Resultados: Após a reabilitação, houve redução significativa dos níveis séricos albumina (3,52 ± 0,478 vs 3,85 ± 0,50 mg/dL, P=0,0159) e aumento dos níveis de ácido úrico (5,00 ± 0,25 vs 4,57 ± 0,21 mg/dL, P=0,0298), sem, entretanto, alterações dos níveis de creatinina (p=0,3760). Também foram reduzidas as pressões arteriais sistêmicas sistólica e diastólica (141,50 ± 3,67 vs 117,00 ± 6,01 mmHg, P<0,01; 77,75 ± 1,48 vs 71,25 ± 3,03 mmHg, P<0,05, respectivamente) e a pressão de pulso (63,75 ± 2,29 vs 45,750 ± 3,68 mmHg, P<0,01), sem redução no Augmentation Index, com melhora em cinco parâmetros da qualidade de vida: aspectos físicos (25,00 ± 17,56 vs 93,75 ± 6,25 %, P<0,05), vitalidade (31,250 ± 10,48 vs 87,50 ± 5,20 %, P<0,05), aspectos sociais (50,00 ± 17,68 vs 100,00 ± 0,00 %, P<0,05), capacidade funcional (47,50 ± 8,53 vs 92,50 ± 3,22 %, P<0,01) e dor (21,62 ± 10,68 vs 65,75 ± 12,49 %, P<0,01). Não foram observadas variações estatisticamente significativas para o perfil glicêmico, lipídico e capacidade funcional. Conclusão: O programa de reabilitação cardiovascular por seis semanas em pacientes diabéticas foi capaz de promover melhora em parâmetros hemodinâmicos e na qualidade de vida, sem maiores mudanças no perfil bioquímico e capacidade funcional. Estas observações permitem considerar que em pacientes diabéticos a reabilitação cardiovascular deve ser iniciada o mais precoce possível a fim de promover redução do risco cardiovascular nestes indivíduos.

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Background: Participants in cardiopulmonary and metabolic rehabilitation programs may have comorbidities and musculoskeletal pain due to aging and the sharing of risk factors. These, act as stressors that negatively influence the quality of life and sexual function. Objective: To assess sexual function and quality of life of participants of cardiopulmonary and metabolic rehabilitation program with and without chronic musculoskeletal pain. Method: We interviewed 100 participants from two cardiopulmonary and metabolic rehabilitation programs. The instruments used were: musculoskeletal system assessment, the chronic pain grade scale to research in the fields of pain: intensity, frequency and disability, the Brazilian version of the quality of life questionnaire SF-36, the International Index of Erectile Function and Female Sexual Function Index - FSFI. Results: 47% of participants reported feeling some musculoskeletal pain, and they had higher Body mass index (BMI) (Md = 30.17, M = 30.19) and a higher prevalence in women (79.2%). The ROC curve showed a cutoff of BMI > 28.04 kg /m². The sites most affected by pain were: lumbar (29.8%), knees (23.4%) and shoulder (10.6%). 30% of participants were limited by pain and 18% reported pain worsened or triggered by exercise, with the largest concentration of complaints in the lower limbs. No associations were observed between active sex life and the presence of musculoskeletal pain, and no difference was found in male sexual function comparing participants with and without pain. 41.7% of participants with pain had erectile dysfunction. Participants with pain had lower scores for physical functioning, role emotional and mental health evaluated with the quality of life questionnaire. There was a positive correlation between overall sexual satisfaction and erectile function with functional capacity related to quality of life. Conclusion: We observed the presence of pain in approximately half of the participants, some of them being limited by it. Furthermore, participants with musculoskeletal pain had worse quality of life scores. Stresses the importance of assessing sexual function, quality of life and musculoskeletal conditions for participants of cardiopulmonary and metabolic rehabilitation programs at both the beginning and progress of treatment, especially in those with a BMI greater than 28.04 kg / m².
Fundamentação: Participantes de programas de reabilitação cardiopulmonar e metabólica podem apresentar comorbidades e dor musculoesquelética em função do envelhecimento e do compartilhamento de fatores de risco. Estes atuam como agentes estressantes que influenciam negativamente a qualidade de vida e a função sexual. Objetivo: avaliar a função sexual e a qualidade de vida de participantes de programas de reabilitação cardiopulmonar e metabólica com e sem dor crônica musculoesquelética. Método: Foram entrevistados 100 participantes de dois programas de reabilitação cardiopulmonar e metabólica. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Inventário de Avaliação do Sistema Locomotor, Escala Graduada de Dor Crônica para investigação dos domínios da dor: intensidade, incapacidade e frequência, versão brasileira do questionário de qualidade de vida SF-36, Índice Internacional de Função Erétil e Female Sexual Function Índex FSFI. Resultados: 47% dos participantes referiu sentir alguma dor musculoesquelética, sendo que eles apresentaram maior IMC (Md= 30,17, M=30,19) e maior prevalência nas mulheres (79,2%). A curva ROC indicou ponto de corte de IMC > 28,04Kg/m². Os locais mais acometidos pela dor em repouso foram: a lombar (29,8%), os joelhos (23,4%) e os ombros (10,6%). 30% dos participantes eram limitados pela dor e 18% referiram dor piorada ou desencadeada pelo exercício físico, sendo a maior concentração de queixas nos membros inferiores. Não foram observadas associações entre vida sexual ativa e presença de dor musculoesquelética, assim como não foi constatada diferença na função sexual masculina quando comparados os participantes com e sem dor. 41,7% dos participantes com dor apresentou disfunção erétil. Os participantes com dor apresentaram menores escores nos domínios capacidade funcional, aspectos emocionais e saúde mental do questionário de qualidade de vida. Verificou-se correlação positiva entre satisfação sexual geral e função erétil com capacidade funcional relacionada à qualidade de vida. Conclusão: Foi observado presença de dor em aproximadamente metade dos participantes, sendo parte deles limitados por ela. Além disso, participantes com dor musculoesquelética apresentaram piores escores de qualidade de vida. Salienta-se a importância de avaliar função sexual, qualidade de vida e condições musculoesqueléticas de participantes de programas de reabilitação cardiopulmonar e metabólica tanto no início quanto na evolução do tratamento, principalmente naqueles com IMC superior a 28,04 Kg/m².

L'insuffisance cardiaque chronique (ICC) est une maladie dite " systémique " caractérisée notamment par le dérèglement de la balance végétative cardiaque et par un remodelage de l'architecture du tissu cardiaque. En rééducation cardiovasculaire, l'activité physique (AP) modérée et régulière joue un rôle majeur : améliorant les symptômes, la qualité de vie, l'aptitude physique des patients, elle permet de réduire les ré-hospitalisations et impacte favorablement la morbi-mortalité. Dans un premier travail bibliographique nous proposons une synthèse des effets bénéfiques de l'AP chez l'ICC, sur le rééquilibrage de l'activité orthosympathique et parasympathique. Puis, dans un deuxième travail, nous montrons que le réentraînement à l'effort par intervalles, court, intense, avec récupération passive améliore plus efficacement la capacité physique et le tonus vagal chez le patient ICC comparativement à un entraînement d'intensité modérée et continue. Enfin dans un troisième travail initié chez le rongeur en IC systolique post-ischémique, les analyses histologiques indiquent que l'entraînement débuté très tôt après la phase aigüe (J+7), provoque à la fois une hypertrophie et une amélioration de l'organisation structurelle des cardiomyocytes (alignement de l'appareil contractile, réorganisation de l'agencement des mitochondries inter-fibrillaires et des disques intercalaires). Par contre, la question de la prolifération des cardiomyocytes induite par l'entraînement reste entière pour le moment. En synthèse, notre projet Doctoral s'articule autour d'un projet clinique chez le patient ICC et d'une étude fondamentale chez la souris IC post-ischémique. L'objectif général de ces travaux est de déterminer de nouvelles caractéristiques pour les programmes d'exercice physique dans l'ICC, utilisables en pratique clinique courante au cours de la réadaptation cardiovasculaire
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by the disruption of the cardiac vegetative balance and by a remodelling of the architecture of the cardiac tissue. Moderate and regular physical activity (PA) is the cornerstone of the cardiovascular rehabilitation programs. By improving symptoms, quality of life, physical fitness of the patients, PA also reduce re-hospitalization and had a favourable impact on morbi-mortality. In a first work, we propose a review of the beneficial effects of PA in patients with CHF, on the sympathovagal balance activity. Then, in a second work, we show that short high intensity interval training with passive recovery is more efficient than moderate intensity and continuous training to improve physical fitness and vagal tone in CHF patients. Finally, in a third work initiated in the rodent with post-ischemic heart failure, the histological analyses indicate that early (D+7, after the acute coronary syndrome) exercise training-induced both hypertrophy and an improvement of the structural organization of the cardiomyocytes. The question of exercise training-induced cardiomyocyte proliferation remains. In summary, our PhD project is based on two studies merging clinical trial and basic research. The overall goal of this work is to identify new features for physical exercise training programs in CHF that can be used in routine care during cardiovascular rehabilitation

Orientador: Meliza Goi Roscani
Resumo: Os efeitos favoráveis de um programa de exercício físico combinado (EFC) em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda reduzida (FEVER) são bem reconhecidos na literatura. Acredita-se que os efeitos benéficos do EF não se devam à melhora da FEVE. Por outro lado, alguns estudos apontaram para efeitos benéficos do EF na função diastólica do VE. Tendo em vista a importância da pressão de enchimento do VE na sintomatologia dos pacientes com IC, levantou-se a hipótese de que de que um programa de EFC e supervisionado é capaz de promover melhora na função diastólica em pacientes com IC com FEVE < 50%, e que esse efeito está associado à diminuição dos sintomas, refletindo em melhora da CF e da QV nesses pacientes. Objetivos: avaliar o efeito do EFC na função diastólica de pacientes com IC de FEVE reduzida e investigar se a melhora na função diastólica é fator associado à melhora dos sintomas, capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida desses pacientes. Metodologia: trata-se de um ensaio clínico prospectivo, randomizado e controlado, que incluiu pacientes com IC e FEVE <50%, acima de 18 anos. A amostra foi composta por 42 pacientes, distribuídos em 2 grupos pareados por idade e sexo: grupo controle (GC) n=20 - submetidos à prescrição já realizada nas consultas de rotina para prática de atividade física regular não supervisionada. Grupo intervenção (GI) n=22 - submetidos a um programa de exercício físico supervisionado composto por exercício aerób... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The favorable effects of a combined exercise program (CEP) in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (RLVE) are well recognized in the literature. There is consensus that physical exercise (PE) improves quality of life (QOL) and functional capacity (FC) in patients with HF. It is believed that the beneficial effects of PE are not due to the improvement of LVEF. On the other hand, some studies indicated beneficial effects of PE on LV diastolic function. Given the importance of LV filling pressure in symptoms of HF patients, the hypothesis of this study was that an CEP supervised program should promote improvement in diastolic function in patients with HF with LVEF <50% and this effect may be associated with decreased symptoms, reflecting improvement in FC and QOL in these patients. Objective: evaluate the effect of ECF in diastolic function in patients with reduced LVEF IC and investigate whether the improvement in diastolic function is r associated with improvement in symptoms, functional capacity and quality of life of these patients. Methodology: Prospective clinical trial, randomized and controlled, which included patients with HF and LVEF <50%, above 18 years. The sample consisted of 42 patients, divided into two groups matched for age and sex: the control group (CG) n = 20 - submitted to prescription in clinical practice of regular physical activity, not supervised. Intervention group (IG) n = 22 - underwent a physical exercise pr... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

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Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of physiotherapeutic intervention on the autonomic control of heart rate through heart rate variability (HRV) indices at rest (supine and seated positions), during deep breath test (DBT), during an exercise protocol and during walking, in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) submitted to phase I of cardiac rehabilitation. Second, evaluate the effects of an inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on the maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) and on the magnitude of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Initially, thirty five patients of both genders were studied in the 1st stage of the cardiovascular physiotherapy (CPT), however, only eighteen of them performed all six stages of treatment (mean = 56± 13 year). These patients, who were admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) (two days) and the ward (four days) of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Carlos with noncomplicated AMI, were hemodynamically stable and used conventional medications. The 1st stage was initiated 22± 5 hours after the CCU admission and the progression to other 5 stages was done based in the daily clinical evolution of each patient. This stage included 10 minutes of rest (pre and post-exercise protocol), 4 minutes of deep breathing test and 5 minutes of exercise protocol (active-assisted low extremities exercises) in the supine position. Furthermore, the 6th stage included 10 minutes of rest in the supine position (pre and post-intervention), 4 minutes of deep breathing test, 5 minutes of rest in the seated position (pre and post-intervention), 5 minutes of active low extremities exercises in the orthostatic position and 15 minutes of walking. The instantaneous heart rate (HR) and the R-R interval (RRi) were acquired by a HR monitor (Polar S810) during all stage and the blood pressure (BP) was measured before and after each stage. Additionally, the PImax was measured (in the seated position) through a manuvacuometer at the pre and post-IMT, which was performed at the 2nd to 6th stages. The intensity of IMT was settled at 40% of PImax pressure load. The HRV was analyzed by time (RMSSD and RMSM indices) and frequency (Fast Fourier Transform) domain methods. The power spectral density was expressed as normalized units (nu) at low (LF) and high (HF) frequencies, and as the LF/HF. Results: The cumulative effect of physiotherapeutic intervention caused increase of AFnu (p<0.05) and decrease of LFnu (p<0.05) when they were evaluated at the rest pre-intervention in the supine position and during exercise protocol of 1st and 6th stages. Additionally, decreased LF/HF was also observed at rest pre-intervention in the supine position. However, no changes were observed for these indices when the 1st and 6th stages were compared to during the RSA, in the rest post-intervention (supine position) and in the rest pre and post-intervention (seated position), and the 4th and 6th stages were compared to during the walking. In the time domain, RMSM and RMSSD diminished at 1st to 6th stages for rest post-intervention in supine position. The IMT augmented the PImax in 46% (P<0.05), but increased PImax and the RSA magnitude did not correlate among them. Conclusion: The CPT realized in the phase I of the cardiac rehabilitation caused increase in the vagal activity and decrease the sympathetic activity during rest and exercises conditions, since the beta-blockade and IECA medications dosages were not altered. Additionally, the intensity used in the IMT was able to improve the PImax, but it did not influence on the RSA magnitude. Financial support: FAPESP (04/05788-6) and CNPq (478799/2003-9).
O presente estudo teve como principal objetivo avaliar a modulação do sistema nervoso autônomo no coração, por meio do comportamento da variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca (VFC) em repouso, supino e sentado, durante manobra para acentuar a arritmia sinusal respiratória (ASR), exercício e deambulação em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) antes e após serem submetidos à fisioterapia: fase I da reabilitação cardiovascular. Como objetivo secundário foi avaliada a pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx) antes e após um programa de treinamento muscular inspiratório (TMI), bem como, a influência do TMI na magnitude da ASR. Foram estudados 35 pacientes na 1ª etapa (controle) e 18 antes e após a fisioterapia cardiovascular (FTCV), com idade média de 56±13 anos, de ambos os sexos, internados na Unidade Coronariana (UCO) (2 dias) e enfermaria da Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Carlos (4 dias) com IAM não complicado. Todos estavam hemodinamicamente estáveis e em uso de medicações convencionais. Foram submetidos a 1ª etapa após 22±5 horas da chegada na UCO e progrediram na FTCV até a 6ª etapa, diariamente, baseado na evolução clínica. A 1ª etapa foi composta de 10 minutos (min) de repouso supino pré (R1) e pós-intervenção (R2), 4 min da manobra para acentuar a ASR (MASR) e 5 min de exercícios ativos-assistidos de membros inferiores (MMII) na postura supina. Já a 6ª etapa foi composta de 10 min de R1 e R2, 4 min da MASR, 5 min de repouso sentado pré (RS1) e pós-intervenção (RS2), 5 min de exercícios ativos de MMII na postura em pé e 15 min de deambulação. Os intervalos R-R (iRR) e a freqüência cardíaca (FC) foram obtidos, batimento a batimento, pelo freqüencímetro Polar® S810i e a pressão arterial (PA) foi aferida antes, durante e após a FTCV. A medida da PImáx foi realizada com um manovacuômetro, na posição sentada, na 2ª etapa e reavaliada na 6ª etapa. O TMI foi realizado, na posição sentada, da 2ª até a 6ª etapa, sendo que a carga pressórica foi de 40% da PImáx obtida na 2ª etapa. A VFC foi analisada nos domínios do tempo (DT - índices RMSSD e RMSM dos iRR em ms) e da freqüência (DF por meio da análise espectral), a qual forneceu as bandas de baixa freqüência (BF) e alta freqüência (AF), expressas em unidades normalizadas (un), e a razão BF/AF. Resultados: Com relação ao efeito cumulativo das seis etapas da FTCV, no DF, houve diminuição da BFun e aumento da AFun no R1 e durante o exercício e diminuição da razão BF/AF no R1 da 1ª para a 6ª etapa, não havendo alterações destas variáveis durante a MASR e no R2 da 1ª para a 6ª etapa, no RS1 e RS2 da 2ª para 6ª etapa e durante a deambulação da 4ª para 6ª etapa. No DT, os índices RMSSD e RMSM diminuíram no R2 da 1ª para a 6ª etapa. Houve aumento de 46% da PImáx com o TMI (p<0,05) e não houve correlação entre o aumento da PImáx e a magnitude de resposta da ASR. Conclusões: A FTCV fase I aplicada aos pacientes com IAM promoveu aumento da atuação vagal e redução da atuação simpática tanto na condição de repouso supino como durante a execução de exercício, uma vez que a dosagem das medicações betabloqueadores e inibidoras da enzima conversora de angiotensina permaneceram inalteradas durante o estudo. Ainda, o TMI promoveu aumento da PImáx na intensidade aplicada, no entanto, não influenciou a magnitude de resposta da ASR Suporte Financeiro: FAPESP Proc. 04/05788- 6, CNPq Proc. 478799/2003-9.

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There are very few published studies evaluating the effect of a protocol of graded exercise of short duration, during phase I cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on the cardiac autonomic modulation in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), thus three investigations were undertaken in order to evaluate the safety of the protocol of cardiovascular therapy (CPT) phase I, as well as observing the behavior of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and autonomic modulation of HR through HR variability (HRV) in time domain (TD) and frequency (DF) in patients undergoing phase I protocol CPT after the 1st AMI. Physical therapy in phase I of the CR can be initiated 12 to 24 hours after AMI, however, it is common to prolonged bed rest due to fears of instability of the patient. So the goal of the 1st study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and autonomic responses to post-AMI patients undergoing day 1 of phase I protocol of CPT, as well as their safety. We studied 51 patients with first AMI uncomplicated, 5511 years, 76% men and submitted to the 1st day of the protocol CPT Stage I, on average, 24 hours after AMI, consisting of 10 minutes of rest before and after exercises, followed by 4 min of breathing exercises and 5 min of dynamic exercise. The results indicate that the exercise was safe because it caused hemodynamic and autonomic modulation in these patients, without causing any medical complications. The 2nd study aimed to characterize the autonomic and hemodynamic responses to CPT in patients with stage I of an AMI. We studied 21 patients with first uncomplicated AMI, age 5212 years, 81% men, six days a progressive exercise program (phase I CPT), consisting of a daily standard protocol (10 min rest in supine position pre-and post-exercise and 4 min of breathing exercises) and a protocol for dynamic graded exercise, progressing to active-assisted movements of the legs in the first days after AMI, even walking in the last days of hospitalization. The protocol applied CPT promoted hemodynamic and autonomic changes during the course of the year, allowing early mobilization of the patient and gradually preparing to return to their activity of daily living after discharge from hospital, without being observed the presence of any sign and / or symptoms of exercise intolerance. The 3rd study was to evaluate the effects of a progressive exercise protocol used in phase I of RCV on HRV at rest in patients after AMI. We studied thirty-seven patients who were admitted to hospital with first uncomplicated AMI. The treated group (TG) (n= 21, age= 52±12 years) conducted a five-day program of progressive exercises during phase I of the RCV, while the control group (CG) (n= 16, age= 54±11 years) had only breathing exercises. The progressive exercise program performed during the first phase of cardiac rehabilitation associated with clinical treatment increased cardiac vagal modulation and reduced cardiac sympathetic modulation in patients after AMI. Overall Conclusion: The results of the three studies suggest that the protocol is safe when applied CPT started after 24 hours of AMI not complicated, and allows early mobilization of patients and gradually prepare them to return their activity of daily living after discharge, without being observed the presence of any sign and / or symptoms of exercise intolerance. In addition the progressive exercise program that compose the physiotherapy intervention associated with clinical treatment caused an increase in cardiac vagal modulation and reduction of cardiac sympathetic modulation at rest in the patients studied.
Há carência de estudos na literatura que avaliem o efeito de um protocolo de exercício físico progressivo (EFP) de curta duração, durante fase I da reabilitação cardiovascular (RCV), sobre a modulação autonômica cardíaca em pacientes pós-infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM), deste modo, uma investigação dividida em três partes foi desenvolvida no intuito de avaliar a segurança do protocolo de fisioterapia cardiovascular (FTCV) fase I, bem como, observar o comportamento da frequência cardíaca (FC), da pressão arterial (PA) e da modulação autonômica da FC, por meio da variabilidade da FC (VFC) nos domínios do tempo (DT) e da freqüência (DF), em pacientes submetidos ao protocolo de FTCV fase I após o 1º IAM. A fisioterapia na fase I da RCV pode ser iniciada de 12 a 24 horas após o IAM, no entanto, é comum o repouso prolongado no leito devido ao receio de instabilização do paciente. Assim o objetivo do 1º estudo foi avaliar as respostas autonômicas e hemodinâmicas de pacientes pós-IAM submetidos ao 1º dia de protocolo de FTCV fase I, bem como, sua segurança. Foram estudados 51 pacientes com 1o IAM não-complicado, 5511 anos, 76% homens e submetidos ao 1º dia do protocolo de FTCV fase I, em média, 24 horas pós-IAM, composto de 10 min de repouso pré e pós-exercícios, 4 min de exercícios respiratórios e 5 min de exercícios físicos dinâmicos (EFD) de membros inferiores (MMII). Os resultados obtidos indicam que o exercício realizado foi seguro, pois promoveu alterações hemodinâmicas e na modulação autonômica da FC nestes pacientes, sem ocasionar qualquer intercorrência clínica. O 2º estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar as respostas autonômicas e hemodinâmicas a FTCV fase I em pacientes com 1º IAM. Foram estudados 21 pacientes com 1o IAM não-complicado, idade 5212 anos, 81% homens, durante 6 dias de um programa de EFP (FTCV fase I), composto por um protocolo padrão diário (10 min de repouso na posição supina pré e pós-exercícios e 4 min de exercícios respiratórios) e um protocolo de EFD gradativos, progredindo de movimentos ativo-assistidos de MMII no 1o dia pós-IAM até deambulação nos últimos dias de internação. O protocolo de FTCV aplicado promoveu alterações autonômicas e hemodinâmicas durante a realização do exercício, permitindo a mobilização precoce do paciente e gradativamente o preparando para o retorno a sua atividade de vida diária (AVD) após a alta hospitalar, sem ser observada presença de qualquer sinal e/ou sintoma de intolerância ao esforço. O 3º estudo teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos de um protocolo de EFP utilizado na fase I da FTCV sobre a VFC de repouso de pacientes pós-IAM. Foram estudados 37 pacientes com 1º IAM não complicado. O grupo tratado (GT) (n=21, idade=52±12 anos) realizou 5 dias de um programa de EFP durante a fase I da FTCV, enquanto o grupo controle (GC) (n=16, idade=54±11 anos) realizou somente exercícios respiratórios. O programa de EFP realizado durante a fase I da FTCV associado ao tratamento clínico aumentou a modulação vagal cardíaca e reduziu a modulação simpática cardíaca em pacientes pós-IAM. Conclusão geral: Os resultados obtidos nas três partes do estudo sugerem que o protocolo de FTCV aplicado é seguro quando iniciado após 24 horas do IAM não complicado, além de permitir a mobilização precoce dos pacientes e gradativamente os preparar para o retorno as suas AVDs após a alta hospitalar, sem ser observada presença de qualquer sinal e/ou sintoma de intolerância ao esforço. Em adição o programa de EFP que compõem a FTCV fase I associado ao tratamento clínico promoveram aumento da modulação vagal cardíaca e redução da modulação simpática cardíaca em repouso nos pacientes estudados.

This health communication research examines the identity levels of the heart patient on a therapeutic website HeartNET through an empirical investigation of site interactions as manifestations of a gift economy. The thesis also explores the media’s representation of heart health in both television and print. This research utilised a longitudinal qualitative ethnographic and netnographic approach involving twenty-six participants who completed two in-depth interviews. The first one-on-one interview occurred during the early stages of the participants’ heart journey, explored their heart story and use of interactive technology for heart health support. The second interview occurred six to twelve months later, and investigated changes in the participants’ heart health status and their media awareness. Data obtained through onsite postings, in-depth interviews, and asynchronous and synchronous interactions on HeartNET, resulted in an analysis of the rich insights into the lived experiences of people affected by heart disease. The heart patient has to cope with an unknown and disrupted future which may be complicated by a lack of understanding by their significant other and extended network. Interactions on HeartNET indicated a change in participants’ attitudes toward their heart disease. The gift of time, information and support were commodities that were shared freely. Over time however, a change in focus was evident. As members became more independent their posts would shift to a focus on independence and healing (or wellbeing) rather than focusing on the disease. Another key finding among the non-HeartNET members was the importance of volunteering and how it became an integral aspect of many recovering heart patients’ lives. As peer supporters this volunteering role appears to support the extension of social networks and complements professional health services. Findings from this research have shown that the media often portrays heart disease as a lifestyle issue and the participants of this research felt the media considered they were ‘to blame’, even though the majority of them had a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle prior to their heart event. An analysis of newspaper articles indicates that the use of the Heart Foundation brand name, or a passing mention of heart disease, was often used to raise the salience of the newspaper article, particularly in terms of its title. This research provides valuable insights into the heart patient’s journey as each individual recreates and re-identifies as a heart patient. Most importantly, this research allows participants’ voices to be heard.

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Despite the observation of an increase in life expectancy in individuals with Spinal cord injury (SCI), it is lower than that of the general population. Studies have shown that affected individuals have a sedentary lifestyle that reflects negatively on health and quality of life. Studies have demonstrated that HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, a high-density lipoprotein and important predictor of cardiovascular disease, are lower in this population exposing these people to a greater incidence of heart disease from atherosclerotic process In the general population, exercise increases HDL-C serum levels, but this phenomenon is not very clear in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The present study examined the effect of both swimming and wheelchair basketball in the lipid profile of eleven men and seven women with SCI. The subjects included in regular exercise programs showed increases in HDL-C levels and decreases in CT/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios. We found better results mainly in men with lower levels of SCI and in those that sustained exercise intensities above 60% of the heart rate reserve. The duration of training sessions can be an essential factor in these results. The results suggest that both the exercise prescription and the personal characteristics of people with SCI influence changes in the lipid profile mediated through exercise. The elaboration of this work is an attempt to clarify uncertainties about health and the longevity of people with SCI generated in discussion of all members of the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team, especially the physiotherapists, nutritionists, nurses and physicians that contributed considerably in all phases of the research
Apesar do aumento da expectativa de vida das pessoas com les?o medular (LM), esta ? ainda inferior ? da popula??o em geral. Pesquisas demonstram que os indiv?duos acometidos pela LM levam um estilo de vida sedent?rio, o que repercute negativamente na sa?de e na qualidade de vida. Os n?veis do colesterol HDL (HDL-C), cada vez mais se consolidam como importantes preditores de doen?a cardiovascular. Na popula??o com LM, os n?veis destas lipoprote?nas encontram-se significativamente diminu?dos, expondo estes indiv?duos a uma maior incid?ncia de doen?as cardiovasculares ligadas ao processo ateroscler?tico. Estudos na popula??o geral assinalam que o exerc?cio f?sico regular eleva os n?veis s?ricos de HDL-C. Por?m, este fen?meno n?o ? muito claro para aqueles com LM. O presente estudo analisou o efeito da nata??o e do basquetebol em cadeira de rodas no perfillip?dico de 11 homens e sete mulheres com LM inclu?dos em um programa regular de atividade f?sica. Os participantes mostraram modifica??es entre a primeira e a segunda coleta que sugerem aumento nos n?veis de HDL-C e diminui??es nas rela??es CT/HDL-C e LDL-C/HDL-C. Verificaram-se melhores resultados nos homens com LM em n?veis mais baixos e que se submeteram a intensidade de esfor?o superior a 60% da freq??ncia card?aca de reserva. O tempo de dura??o da sess?o de treinamento pode ser uma vari?vel fundamental nestes resultados. Estes resultados sugerem que tanto a prescri??o do exerc?cio quanto caracter?sticas individuais das pessoas com LM influenciam modifica??es no perfil lip?dico mediadas pelo exerc?cio. A elabora??o deste trabalho ? uma tentativa de esclarecer questionamentos relacionados ? sa?de e a longevidade de pessoas com LM gerados atrav?s da discuss?o de todos integrantes da equipe interdisciplinar de reabilita??o, especialmente os fisioterapeutas,nutricionistas,enfermeiros e m?dicos, que contribu?ram consideravelmente em todas as fases da pesquisa

Introdução: A reabilitação cardiopulmonar e metabólica (RCPM) é uma importante estratégia no tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca isquêmica. Entretanto, os seus principais mecanismos de melhora e as correlações com aumento na capacidade de exercício e menos sintomas ainda não estão totalmente esclarecidos. Objetivos: Investigar os efeitos de um programa multidisciplinar de RCPM sobre o tempo de tolerância ao esforço (TLim) e a resposta da fase rápida (fase II) da cinética do consumo de oxigênio (variável relacionada ao desempenho oxidativo muscular) em cardiopatas isquêmicos. Adicionalmente, avaliar as variáveis cardiovasculares, ventilatórias e metabólicas nos TCPE máximo (TRIM) e de endurance (TSCC), além da composição corporal pela bioimpedância elétrica, fração de ejeção (FE) e qualidade de vida. Métodos: Cento e seis pacientes com cardiopatia isquêmica encaminhados ao PRCPM foram submetidos ao TRIM em esteira rolante e, após intervalo de 1 a 7 dias, ao TSCC, com 80% da carga atingida no TRIM. Trinta e sete (37) pacientes foram excluídos, 31 por adesão < 50% às sessões de treinamento, 3 com IMC> 35kg.m-2 e 3 com FE<35%. Após 12 semanas de RCPM, 69 pacientes foram ressubmetidos aos mesmos testes e analisados os efeitos sobre o TLim, fase II da cinética do V\'O2 e a qualidade de vida. Resultados: Os pacientes tiveram evidente redução da sua limitação funcional e 95,6% tornaram-se classe I (pré-RCPM era 62,3%), 4,3% classe II (31,8% antes intervenção) e nenhum mais na classe III da NYHA (5,8% anteriormente), após a intervenção da RCPM. Apresentaram melhora significativa no desempenho ao esforço em ambos protocolos TRIM e TSCC, no entanto, o aumento no tempo de tolerância ao esforço foi quase 3 vezes superior no TSCC. Dentre os diversos sistemas avaliados pelo TCPE, o componente periférico foi o que apresentou melhora mais significativa, principalmente pelo incremento na fase II da cinética do V\'O2, com redução da constante de tempo (tau) ? (p<0,001) e de modo paralelo o mean response time (p <0,001), que engloba também a fase III. Houve redução dos índices isquêmicos ao esforço, bem como da densidade arritmogênica significativa em 37%. Houve melhora significativa em todos os domínios do questionário de vida (p<0,001) e modesta, mas com significância estatística na composição corporal pela BIE com incremento da massa magra e redução da massa gorda após treinamento e, também, da FE. A qualidade de vida se correlacionou com a fase II da cinética do V\'O2 (tau), tanto no sumário físico quanto mental. Na análise de regressão múltipla, o sumário físico pós-RCPM teve como variáveis preditoras a fase II da cinética do V\'O2 e a FE. Conclusões: A RCPM resultou em importantes benefícios fisiológicos e de qualidade de vida aos pacientes com cardiopatia isquêmica com CF predominante I e II. A qualidade de vida esteve associada à obtenção da resposta mais rápida da cinética do V\'O2, que reflete a melhora no metabolismo oxidativo muscular. O treinamento físico regular promoveu retardamento do limiar de isquemia miocárdica e redução da densidade arritmogênica. O TSCC, em relação ao TRIM, detectou ganhos de maior magnitude após o programa de RCPM, como o TLim, e proporcionou a mensuração de novos índices na avaliação das respostas à intervenção do treinamento físico como a cinética do V\'O2
Introduction: Cardiopulmonary and Metabolic Rehabilitation (CPMR) is an important strategy in the treatment of ischemic heart failure. However, their main mechanisms of improvement and correlations with increased exercise capacity and fewer symptoms are still not fully understood. Objectives: To investigate the effects of a multidisciplinary CPMR program on exercise tolerance time (TLim) and the response of the fast phase (phase II) of the kinetics of oxygen consumption (variable related to muscle oxidative performance) in ischemic cardiomyopathy. Additionally, to evaluate cardiovascular, ventilatory and metabolic variables in maximal (Max) and endurance (End) cardiopulmonary tests, and body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, ejection fraction (EF) and quality of life. Methods: One hundred and six patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy referred to CPMR underwent Max on a treadmill and, after an interval of 1 to 7 days, the End with 80% load achieved in Max. Thirty-seven (37) patients were excluded, 31 with participation of <50% in the training sessions, 3 with BMI> 35kg.m-2 and 3 with EF <35%. After 12 weeks of CPMR, 69 patients underwent the same tests and analyzed the effects on TLim. Results: The patients had an evident reduction in functional limitation and 95.6% became Class I (pre-CPMR was 62.3%), 4.3% class II (31.8% before intervention) and no longer in class III (5.8% previously), after the intervention of the CPMR. They had significant improvement in performance when effort on both Max and End protocols, however, the increase in exercise tolerance time was nearly 3 times higher in End. Among the various systems assessed by CPET, peripheral component showed the most significant improvement, especially the increase in the phase II kinetics V\'O2, reducing the time constant (tau) ? (p <0.001) and so parallel the mean response time (p <0.001), which also includes the phase III. There was a reduction of ischemic effort indices as well as the significant arrhythmogenic density by 37%. There was significant improvement in all domains of quality of life (p <0.001) and modest, but with statistical significance, in body composition by bioelectrical impedance with increasing lean mass and decreasing fat mass after training and also the EF. The quality of life was correlated with the phase II kinetics V\'O2 (tau), both physical and mental domains. In multiple regression analysis, the physical summary post CPMR had as predictors phase II kinetics V\'O2 and EF. Conclusions: The CPMR has resulted in important physiological benefits and quality of life for patients with ischemic heart disease with predominant NYHA I and II. The quality of life was associated with obtaining more rapid response kinetics V\'O2, reflecting the improvement in muscle oxidative metabolism. Regular physical training promoted retardation in the threshold of myocardial ischemia and reduced arrhythmogenic density. The End, when compared to Max, detected gains of greater magnitude after CPMR as Tlim, and provided the measurement of new indices in the evaluation of responses to the intervention of physical training as the kinetics of V\'O2

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Cardiovascular responses to different isometric contractions were evaluated in 12 patients (63 ± 11,6 years, mean ± dp) with coronary artery disease and/or risk factors, participants in the cardiac rehabilitation phase III. Heart rate variation (ΔHR) was evaluated during maximum (CVM, five and ten seconds in duration) and submaximal (CVSM, 30 and 60% of CVM-5, until muscle exhaustion) voluntary contraction, using a handgrip dynamometer. Additionally, the RMSSD (representative index of vagal modulation) was calculated at rest (precontraction), at the last 30 seconds of CVSM and recovery (post-contraction). ΔHR showed higher values in CVM CVM-10 vs-5 (17 ± 5,5 vs 12 ± 4,2 bpm, p <0.05) and the CVSM-60 vs CVSM -30 (19 ± 5,8 vs 15 ± 5,1 bpm, p <0.05). However, results for CVM-10 showed similar ΔHR compared to results for CVSM (p> 0.05). RMSSD at rest decreased (p <0.05) during CVSM-30 (30% = 28 ± 17 vs 13 ± 8 ms) and CVSM-60 (60% = 26 ± 18 vs 10 ± 4 ms), but returned to baseline values as the contraction was interrupted. In in patients with coronary artery disease and/or risk factors, low intensity isometric contraction, maintained over long periods of time, presents the same effect on the responses of HR, compared to a briefly high intensity or maximal isometric effort.
As respostas da frequência cardíaca frente à diferentes percentuais de contração isométrica foram avaliadas em 12 pacientes (63 ± 11,6 anos; média±dp) com doença da artéria coronária e/ou fatores de risco para a mesma e participantes de um programa de reabilitação cardíaca fase III. A variação da frequência cardíaca (ΔFC) foi avaliada durante a contração voluntária máxima (CVM; cinco e dez segundos de duração) e submáximas (CVSM; 30 e 60% da CVM-5, até exaustão muscular) de preensão palmar, utilizando-se um dinamômetro (hand grip). Adicionalmente, o RMSSD dos iR-R em ms (índice representativo da modulação vagal no nó sino atrial) foi calculado em repouso (pré-contração), nos últimos 30 segundos da CVSM e na recuperação (pós-contração). A ΔFC apresentou maiores valores em CVM-10 vs CVM-5(17 ± 5,5 vs 12 ± 4,2 bpm, p<0,05) e no CVSM-60 vs CVSM -30 (19 ± 5,8 vs 15 ± 5,1 bpm, p<0,05). No entanto, os resultados para CVM-10 mostrou ΔFC similar quando comparado aos resultados obtidos para CVSM (p>0,05). RMSSD de repouso reduziu (p<0,05) durante a CVSM-30 (30% = 28 ± 17 vs 13 ± 8 ms) e CVSM-60 (60% = 26 ± 18 vs 10 ± 4 ms), mas retornou aos valores basais quando a contração foi interrompida. Em pacientes com doença da artéria coronária e/ou fatores de risco para a mesma, a contração isométrica de baixa intensidade mantida por longos períodos de tempo, apresenta os mesmos efeitos sobre as respostas da FC, quando comparada à atividade isométrica de alta intensidade ou ao esforço isométrico máximo.

Il presente lavoro di tesi è stato condotto in ambito psicocardiologico, e riguarda l’indagine delle determinanti psicosociali potenzialmente coinvolte nell’eziopatogenesi, digressione e prognosi delle malattie cardiache. Più studi preliminari sono stati condotti a fini esplorativi, e solo le varabili risultate caratteristiche del campione mantenute in indagini successive. Dopo aver indagato il ruolo del benessere psicologico nell’influenzare la Capacità Funzionale dei pazienti, uno degli indicatori di esito di maggiore importanza in Riabilitazione Cardiologica (RC) (studio 1), si è proceduto a verificare quali tra le variabili cognitive e psicologiche tradizionalmente associate alle malattie cardiache caratterizzasse lo specifico campione, condizionandone Qualità della Vita (QdV) e benessere psicologico (studio 2). Esclusa l’influenza delle variabili cognitive sullo stato emotivo dei soggetti, si è, poi, approfondito il ruolo delle variabili psicologiche nel determinarne la QdV percepita dei degenti (studio 3). Obiettivo del quarto studio è, infine, valutare efficacia ed efficienza dell’aggiunta di tecniche e principi propri del Colloquio Motivazionale (CM) al trattamento psicologico standard (Terapia Breve Strategica, TBS), al di la del solo trattamento breve strategico, nell’incrementare autoefficacia percepita, disponibilità al cambiamento ed aderenza al trattamento riabilitativo nel malati di cuore. Un esempio dell’uso di tale stile comunicativo viene, inoltre, proposto mediante caso clinico (studio 5).
The general aim of this thesis is to seek evidence on how to achieve long-term maintenance of lifestyle changes in a sample of obese inpatients with heart diseases referred to Cardiac Rehabilitation by investigating the influence of selected variables on their physical and psychological status, as well as by examining the efficacy and effectiveness of a motivational-based intervention. Study 1 is aimed at evaluating whether psychological well-being represents an independent predictor of Exercise Capacity. Study 2 focuses on investigating the influence of cognitive abilities and established psychosocial risk factors on the sample’s subjective Quality of life (QoL) and well-being. Since no effect of different levels of cognitive impairments on the expression of psychological distress among the study participants has been identified, in study 3 the effect of emotional impairments on QoL has been further explored. To conclude, the MOTIV-HEART study (study 4) is aimed at testing the incremental efficacy of a brief strategic treatment including motivational components (BST + MI) in improving physical and psychological outcomes over and beyond the stand-alone brief strategic treatment (BST) and whether results will be maintained/increased at 3-month follow-up. An example of this style of communication is also presented through a case study (study 5).

Il presente lavoro di tesi è stato condotto in ambito psicocardiologico, e riguarda l’indagine delle determinanti psicosociali potenzialmente coinvolte nell’eziopatogenesi, digressione e prognosi delle malattie cardiache. Più studi preliminari sono stati condotti a fini esplorativi, e solo le varabili risultate caratteristiche del campione mantenute in indagini successive. Dopo aver indagato il ruolo del benessere psicologico nell’influenzare la Capacità Funzionale dei pazienti, uno degli indicatori di esito di maggiore importanza in Riabilitazione Cardiologica (RC) (studio 1), si è proceduto a verificare quali tra le variabili cognitive e psicologiche tradizionalmente associate alle malattie cardiache caratterizzasse lo specifico campione, condizionandone Qualità della Vita (QdV) e benessere psicologico (studio 2). Esclusa l’influenza delle variabili cognitive sullo stato emotivo dei soggetti, si è, poi, approfondito il ruolo delle variabili psicologiche nel determinarne la QdV percepita dei degenti (studio 3). Obiettivo del quarto studio è, infine, valutare efficacia ed efficienza dell’aggiunta di tecniche e principi propri del Colloquio Motivazionale (CM) al trattamento psicologico standard (Terapia Breve Strategica, TBS), al di la del solo trattamento breve strategico, nell’incrementare autoefficacia percepita, disponibilità al cambiamento ed aderenza al trattamento riabilitativo nel malati di cuore. Un esempio dell’uso di tale stile comunicativo viene, inoltre, proposto mediante caso clinico (studio 5).
The general aim of this thesis is to seek evidence on how to achieve long-term maintenance of lifestyle changes in a sample of obese inpatients with heart diseases referred to Cardiac Rehabilitation by investigating the influence of selected variables on their physical and psychological status, as well as by examining the efficacy and effectiveness of a motivational-based intervention. Study 1 is aimed at evaluating whether psychological well-being represents an independent predictor of Exercise Capacity. Study 2 focuses on investigating the influence of cognitive abilities and established psychosocial risk factors on the sample’s subjective Quality of life (QoL) and well-being. Since no effect of different levels of cognitive impairments on the expression of psychological distress among the study participants has been identified, in study 3 the effect of emotional impairments on QoL has been further explored. To conclude, the MOTIV-HEART study (study 4) is aimed at testing the incremental efficacy of a brief strategic treatment including motivational components (BST + MI) in improving physical and psychological outcomes over and beyond the stand-alone brief strategic treatment (BST) and whether results will be maintained/increased at 3-month follow-up. An example of this style of communication is also presented through a case study (study 5).

碩士
長榮大學
護理學系碩士班
106
Background: Cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise greatly enhanced health promotion of patients with coronary artery disease. Patients usually do not practice cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise after discharge. However, it is lack of studies focusing on patient adherence to cardiovascular exercise and its associated factors. Purpose: The aim of the study is to examine the influencing factors of patient adherence to a cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise after discharge. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. The study is convenience sampling and conducted in cardiovascular outpatient department of a medical center in Southern Taiwan. Inclusion criteria included: (1) diagnosed of coronary artery disease via cardiac catherization; (2) cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise guided by rehabilitation therapist during hospitalization; (3)  20 years old; (4) consciousness clear; (5) able to communicate orally; (6) without psychiatric history and cognitive impairment. Exclusion criteria included patients who attend cardiovascular rehabilitation program at the Rehabilitation Department, patients who had received coronary artery bypass operation, and terminal cancer patients. The structured questionnaire will be used for data collection. The questionnaire includes 5 sections, exercise adherence, self-efficacy of rehabilitation exercise, social support, knowledge, and demographic data. The sample size is 100. The statistical software is SPSS version 20.0. Data analyses use t test, correlation, ANOVA test, and multiple regression model. Results: The study results indicate that patients with no signs of fatigue and shortness of breath show better adherence to a cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise than patients with signs of fatigue and shortness of breath (t=2.44, p<.05). Patients who exercised regularly before the disease show better adherence to a cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise than patients who did not exercise regularly (t=2.53, p<.05). Patients that rate their health status as good show better adherence to a cardiovascular than patients that rate their health status as normal or bad (F=6.52, p<.01). The mentioned three variables show significant differences. Moreover, self-efficacy of rehabilitation exercise (r = .580, p < .01), support from family (r = .341, p <.01) and support from friends (r = .323, p <.01) have positive relations with patient adherence to a cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise after discharge. The analysis results of multiple regression models are shown as follows. The significant factors include self-rated health status as normal (β = .26, p<.05), higher self-efficacy of rehabilitation exercise (β = .49, p < .01) and better support from friends (β= .22, p < .01). Conclusion: Among patients with coronary artery disease, those who exercised regularly before the disease and rated their health status as good, those with better self-efficacy of rehabilitation exercise, those with better support by family and those with better support by friends show better adherence to a cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise after discharge. The results can be used as a reference for the medical teams to improve patients' self-efficacy of rehabilitation exercise. By improving the patient adherence to a cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise after discharge, the coronary artery disease can thus be prevented and controlled.

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a prevalent condition among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). After an injury, OH often reduces the benefit of neurorehabilitation and also prolongs periods of inactivity that lead to secondary complications. This study investigated whether the cardiovascular response to head-up tilting can be improved using functional electrical stimulation (FES) and rhythmic passive movements of the lower extremities. Participants with high thoracic and cervical SCI were recruited. While the participants were tilted head-up to 70 degrees, four conditions were applied in a random sequence: 1) no intervention, 2) rhythmic passive leg movements, 3) isometric FES, and 4) a combination of FES and passive leg movements. The measured cardiovascular parameters indicated that a combination of FES and passive leg movements induced the most desirable response to head-up tilting. The proposed intervention will enable more individuals with SCI to participate in beneficial neurorehabilitation that uses a novel tilt table.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2010.
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on February 14, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Objectives: Research literature points to a range of “factors” that are associated with return to work outcomes but little understanding of the experience of workers, the strategies used to adapt, how work shapes and influences adjustment, and the trajectories that describe their return to work experience. The aim of this qualitative, workplace-based study was to characterize workers readaptation to the workplace and develop a substantive framework for return to work following disabling cardiac illness. Methods: The study used a concurrent, nested, mixed methods approach, using grounded theory to inform the sampling and analysis framework. Participant workers were 12 males having suffered occupational disability owing to cardiac illness and returning to work at a large auto manufacturing plant. Participants were purposefully sampled for a range of disease and disability experiences as well as a range of work roles in the plant. Data were derived from semi-structured in-depth interviews, standardized questionnaire measures of health-related quality of life and work limitations, observations within the plant, and extensive field notes and memos. Longitudinal information was obtained through follow-up interviews over a two to ten month period. Results: Participants had a range of illness impacts and representations and fulfilled diverse roles in the plant including assembly jobs and trade work. Thematic analysis revealed that participants used adaptive strategies including changing mindset in relation to work, building physical capacity and efficiency, managing relationships and work schedules, and using supports in the plant. Thematic analysis highlighted the importance of the nature of work, the quality of work relationships, organizational practices around accommodation and supports in the workplace including occupational health support. Conclusions: Worker adaptation following disabling cardiac illness involved a process of self-regulation including elements of illness and work representations, deployment of adaptive strategies to compensate for ongoing impairments, self-monitoring, goal setting and adaptive selection of work activities. Work demands, relationships and structures provide a range of possibility for self-regulation and quality of life. Implications for practice for work and health researchers and professionals as well as potential linkages to theory are discussed.

Purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs have been shown to promote numerous health benefits among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but little is known about the characteristics of CR programs. Methods: A survey was developed and utilized to collect data on Early Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation programs (EOCR) in the USA. An email with a link to the survey was sent by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) to their members. Program directors/administrators were recruited to provide information about their program in operation during 2009 in the United States. The CR survey contained 13 questions, some with multiple answers, regarding the utilization and patient demographics of an Early Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation (Phase II) program. Results: Responses were received from 138 programs in 44 states. Of the responses, 19,689 patients completed at least one EOCR exercise session. Of the responses, 68% of patients were men and 32% of patients were women. Patients enrolled in EOCR programs had a primary diagnosis of CABG 4,803 (30%); AVR/MVR 1,401(9%); MI 3,583 (22%); PCI/Stent 4,961 (31%); stable angina 965 (6%); heart/lung transplant 53 (0.33%); other 385 (2%). 8.4% complete 0-6 sessions of EOCR; 12% complete 7-12 sessions; 22% complete 13-18 sessions; and 58% complete 19-36 sessions. 35% of patients enrolled in EOCR programs are discharged early. 84% of programs offer an outpatient maintenance CR program. 96% of EOCR programs offer education classes; 89% offer resistance equipment; 72% are AACVPR certified; 62% also offer pulmonary rehabilitation; 23% utilize outcome measurements; 62% are in rural locations; and the average patient-to-staff ratio is 4.2:1. Conclusions: CR programs are used by a minority of eligible patients. There is marked variation in the structure and content of EOCR programs. Alternative strategies to improve standardization and outcomes should be implemented.
School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Orientação: António João Labisa da Silva Palmeira; co-orientação: Luís Cerca
Introdução: A doença cardiovascular (DCV) é a principal causa de morte a nível mundial. Em 2012 estimou-se que 17,5 milhões de pessoas morreram devido a DCV (WHO, 2014). Uma forma de prevenção secundária é a reabilitação cardíaca (RC) que consiste num programa supervisionado por profissionais para pessoas que sofreram de ataque cardíaco (AC), insuficiência cardíaca (IC), substituição valvular, revascularização do miocárdio ou intervenção coronária percutânea. A RC envolve a adopção de um estilo de vida saudável de forma a controlar os factores de risco (FR) de DCV. Um programa inclui exercício físico (EF), educação para a adopção de um estilo de vida saudável e aconselhamento para reduzir o stress e ajudar a pessoa a ter uma vida activa (NHLBI, 2016). Este estudo, através de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, pretende analisar o efeito do EF num programa de RC e o seu efeito na composição corporal e na pressão arterial em pacientes com doença cardiovascular. Este relatório de estágio é constituído por duas partes. A primeira parte é referente à Revisão Sistemática da Literatura em que o objectivo é verificar o efeito do EF nos programas de reabilitação cardíaca, mais especificamente nas variáveis da composição corporal e pressão arterial. A segunda parte é referente à intervenção realizada no Ginásio Clube Português, com especial atenção no programa de RC. Método: Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica no período de 10 de Fevereiro a 10 de Junho. O motor de busca utilizado foi o PUBMED com a utilização do modelo PICO. O estágio realizou-se no Ginásio Clube Português, em que o principal foco foi o programa de RC, tendo também intervenções na sala de exercício, programas especiais e na sala de avaliação e aconselhamento técnico. O estágio teve a duração de 8 meses. Resultados: Foram encontrados 631751 artigos, e após aplicar os critérios de inclusão e exclusão restaram 6, sendo que 3 foram seleccionados através de pesquisa manual. Pela análise dos resultados encontrados verificou-se que os programas de reabilitação cardíaca têm um efeito positivo na diminuição das variáveis da composição corporal e da pressão arterial. Foram propostos vários objetivos para concretizar durante a realização do estágio. No decorrer do mesmo foi adquirida autonomia, de forma progressiva, nas intervenções realizadas na sala de exercício e na sala de avaliação e aconselhamento técnico, seja na elaboração de planos de treino como na avaliação da condição física. Discussão/Conclusão: Pela análise dos resultados encontrados, torna-se evidente que o programa de reabilitação cardíaca é uma ferramenta essencial para a melhoria de diversas variáveis que aumentam o risco de mortalidade e morbilidade nos pacientes. Será importante adoptar estratégias para que os programas de reabilitação cardíaca cheguem ao maior número de pessoas que possuíram ou possuem doença cardiovascular. O estágio revelou-se uma importante e fundamental fonte de conhecimento, essencialmente na sua componente prática, constituindo-se como uma relevante experiência empírica para o exercício futuro da actividade profissional, principalmente no que diz respeito ao trabalho com populações de risco com patologias cardíacas.
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2012 it was estimated that 17.5 million people died from CVD (WHO, 2014). One form of secondary prevention is cardiac rehabilitation (CR) consisting of a professional supervised program for people who have suffered from heart attack (CA), heart failure (HF), valvular replacement, myocardial revascularization or percutaneous coronary intervention. RC involves adopting a healthy lifestyle in order to control CVD risk factors (RF). A program includes physical exercise (EF), education for a healthy lifestyle, and counseling to reduce stress and help the person live an active life (NHLBI,2016). This study, through a systematic review of the literature, intends to analyze the effect of PE in a CR program and its effect on body composition and blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease. This traineeship report is made up of two parts. The first part refers to the Systematic Review of Literature in which the objective is to verify the effect of EF in cardiac rehabilitation programs, more specifically in the variables of body composition and blood pressure. The second part refers to the intervention performed at the Ginásio Clube Português, with special attention in the RC program. Method: A bibliographic search was carried out from February 10 to June 10. The search engine used was PUBMED with the use of the PICO model. The internship took place at the Ginásio Clube Português, where the main focus was the RC program, also having interventions in the exercise room, special programs and in the room of evaluation and technical advice. The internship lasted 8 months. Results: A total of 631751 articles were found, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria there were 6 articles remaining, 3 of which were selected through manual search. Analysis of the results showed that cardiac rehabilitation programs have a positive effect on the decrease of body composition and blood pressure variables. Several objectives were proposed to be achieved during the internship. In the course of the training, autonomy was acquired progressively in the interventions performed in the exercise room and in the evaluation and technical counseling room, both in the preparation of training plans and in the evaluation of the physical condition. Discussion / Conclusion: By analyzing the results found, it is evident that the cardiac rehabilitation program is an essential tool for the improvement of several variables that increase the risk of mortality and morbidity in the patients. It will be important to adopt strategies for cardiac rehabilitation programs to reach the largest number of people who had or have cardiovascular disease. The internship has proved to be an important and fundamental source of knowledge, essentially in its practical component, constituting itself as a relevant empirical experience for the future exercise of the professional activity, especially regarding the work with risk populations with cardiac pathologies.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among Canadian women, and accounts for up to 30% of deaths among women worldwide. Women with CVD are typically older than their male counterparts, experience worse functional status, are more likely to experience non-CVD health conditions such as diabetes or arthritis, and will live with these health conditions for more years than men. Physical activity (PA) and cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation is lower among women compared to men, but little is known about the PA and health promotion experiences, priorities and practices of older women living with CVD. Guided by a socioenvironmental approach to health promotion, a mixed method design involving a mail survey (N=127) and qualitative interviews (N=15) was employed to describe and explore the PA and health promotion practices, preferences and priorities of older women (≥65 years) living with CVD in the Champlain health region of Ontario. Nearly 60% of survey respondents were referred to CR. Logistic regression analysis revealed urban residence as a predictor of CR referral (p<0.01, OR=3.24; 95% CI: 1.44-7.30). Nearly 55% of respondents attended CR, which was predicted by CR referral (p<0.01, OR=32.26; 95% CI: 9.26-111.11), availability of transportation (p<0.05, OR=9.96; 95% CI: 1.22-81.41), and a history of structured PA (p<0.05, OR=3.64; 95% CI: 1.16-11.36). Respondents were more active than their peers, but received little support from their physician for PA. Older women’s incidental PA (walking six or more hours/week for transportation) was predicted by their sense of community belonging (p<0.05, OR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.05-6.29) and having energy for PA (p<0.05, OR=5.8; 95% CI: 1.21-27.92). Interview participants (including four who had attended CR) described health as a resource that enables them to lead busy, active lives. Most participants attributed CVD to genetics or stress, but still engaged in health-promoting activities, including structured and incidental PA. Participants engaged in ‘incidental’ activities such as walking, gardening, and housekeeping tasks purposefully, with the intention of maintaining or improving their health. This research can inform public health initiatives and health care services (including CR) to better meet the needs and preferences of the growing population of older women with CVD.