Advisor(s)

William J. (William Jay) Gillespie

Contributor(s)

Carmen C. Sceppa, Kirk Perry

Date of Award

2010

Date Accepted

5-2010

Degree Grantor

Northeastern University

Degree Level

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department or Academic Unit

Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Department of Exercise Science.

Keywords

health sciences, rehabilitation and therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiovascular endurance, ejection rraction, exercise, quality of life

Subject Categories

Heart - Diseases - Patients - Rehabilitation

Disciplines

Exercise Physiology

Abstract

This retrospective study examined the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), six-minute walk test (6MWT), and Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) of 50 individuals following a three-month cardiac rehabilitation program. After receiving approval by the two participating institutional review boards, medical records were examined. Men and women between 40 and 75 years of age who had an uncomplicated myocardial infarction in the past four weeks prior to cardiac rehabilitation and a LVEF between 25-45% were included in the study. Participants who had undergone LVEF, 6MWT, and SF-12 measures at both baseline and following the three-month program were only included. The cardiac rehabilitation program included the treadmill, recumbent cycle, upper body resistance training and was performed three times per week, 45-60 minutes per session. There was no statistically significant change in LVEF following the three-month program (pre: 45% and post: 48%) in seven participants. The results of the SF-12, completed by 36 participants, indicated that the physical component scale (PCS) improved significantly after cardiac rehabilitation (pre: 39.4 and post: 44.5), while the mental component score (MCS) did not (pre: 51.5 and post: 54.1). Submaximal exercise endurance, measured by 6MWT, completed by all 50 participants, improved significantly after the program, with an average increase of 15% on the 6MWT. In conclusion, this three-month cardiac rehabilitation program improved exercise endurance and the PCS of the SF-12 of participants after a recent uncomplicated heart attack, but did not significantly change LVEF or the MCS of the SF-12.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights Holder

Kerry Anne Dinon


View Full Text

Click button above to open, or right-click to save.

Share

COinS