Self-efficacy and activity level following cardiac surgery.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Cardiac surgery recovery requires effective patient education and ongoing support.
• Self-efficacy, the belief in one's ability to perform tasks, is crucial for physical activity post-surgery.
• Limited research exists on the impact of specific interventions on self-efficacy and activity in cardiac surgery patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if in-patient education and telephone monitoring enhance self-efficacy expectations and reported activity in cardiac surgery patients.
• To identify predictors of physical activity during convalescence.

Main Methods:

• 149 recovering cardiac surgery patients were assessed for self-efficacy and reported activity.
• An experimental group received in-patient education and telephone monitoring.
• New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and mood state were also measured.

Main Results:

• Experimental patients showed significantly higher self-efficacy for walking at 4-8 and 8-24 weeks post-surgery.
• Higher general activity levels were reported by experimental patients at 4 and 8 weeks, with increased walking and lifting at 8 weeks.
• Self-efficacy at 8 weeks significantly predicted activity at 12 and 24 weeks; NYHA class also predicted activity.

Conclusions:

• In-patient education and telephone monitoring positively impact self-efficacy and physical activity post-cardiac surgery.
• Self-efficacy is a key predictor of sustained physical activity during cardiac recovery.
• NYHA functional class is an independent predictor of post-operative activity levels.