Recovery after myocardial infarction. Effects of a caring rehabilitation programme

The aim of the study was to evaluate a multifactorial rehabilitation programme based on interdisciplinary caring efforts for myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Randomly chosen MI-patients participated, either in a six-month rehabilitation programme (intervention group = 53) or in routine cardiac follow-ups (control group = 63). Subjective and objective instruments were used for measuring their health recovery. Biophysical improvements were showed as an increased physical capacity (p less than 0.001) using a submaximal exercise test six months after MI, and less reinfarctions (p less than 0.024) twelve months after MI, to the intervention patients' advantage. Psychological improvements were demonstrated in a higher life satisfaction (p less than 0.001) six months and (0.1 greater than p greater than 0.05) twelve months after MI to the intervention patients' advantage. Social improvements were indicated as a better leisure situation (p less than 0.004) six months after MI, and as a better partner situation (p less than 0.010), including a less influenced sex life (p less than 0.017), twelve months after MI to the intervention patients' advantage. As to the overall view, the caring rehabilitation programme appeared to be required for the MI-patients' health recovery. In order to be able to reach an optimal state of human health, an even more individualised programme seems to be necessary.