Activity counseling early postelective percutaneous coronary intervention (ACE-PCI): Mixed-methods pilot randomized...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Low physical activity (PA) post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) increases cardiac event risk.
• Physiotherapist-led PA counseling before discharge may improve post-PCI PA levels.
• Preliminary research is needed to assess counseling effectiveness versus usual care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a brief physiotherapist-led PA counseling session post-elective PCI.
• To compare PA levels early after PCI between a counseling group and a usual care group.

Main Methods:

• 30 participants randomized to physiotherapist-led PA counseling (30 min) or usual care (<5 min nurse advice).
• Primary outcome: moderate-to-vigorous PA (accelerometry at 3 weeks).
• Secondary outcomes: cardiac rehabilitation intention, anxiety, depression, quality of life; feasibility assessed via recruitment, retention, attrition; qualitative interviews explored acceptability and barriers/enablers.

Main Results:

• No significant between- or within-group differences in PA levels at 3 weeks.
• Feasibility criteria met except for retention and attrition.
• Only 25% planned cardiac rehabilitation; no group differences.
• Increased PA associated with younger age, absence of other chronic diseases, and immediate post-discharge activity.
• Interviews identified personal, environmental, and program-related barriers and enablers to PA.

Conclusions:

• A brief physiotherapist-led PA counseling session may not improve early PA levels post-elective PCI compared to brief nurse advice.
• A larger multicenter trial is feasible with improved participant follow-up strategies.
• Further research is warranted to refine PA interventions for patients post-PCI.