Factors related to functional status after coronary artery bypass surgery

We studied physical functioning and social and leisure functioning of 125 men before, 1 month after, and 6 months after coronary artery bypass surgery. Relationships between functional status outcomes and selected psychosocial and physical variables were examined. Although functional status outcomes improved significantly 6 months after surgery, 13% of patients continued to report important functional status disabilities, and 45% reported difficulty in or no participation in moderately vigorous activities. The variable most predictive of functional status was the patient's estimation a priori of his ability to carry out specific activities (self-efficacy). Other psychosocial and physical factors, other than postoperative treadmill performance, did not add significantly to the prediction of the outcomes. Findings suggest that rehabilitative programs attempting to facilitate physical and social reintegration of the patient after coronary artery bypass surgery should test the effects of interventions to increase self-efficacy.