Landscape therapy: rehabilitation potential in patients with post-infarction cardiosclerosis

Aim: To evaluate the rehabilitation potential, effectiveness and safety of landscape therapy in the complex rehabilitation treatment of patients with post-infarction cardiosclerosis (PC) complicated by chronic post-infarction cardiac aneurysm (CPCA) at the sanatorium stage.

Materials and Methods: We examined 62 patients with PC complicated by CPCA aged 38 to 65 years. Patients were randomized into two groups: the 1st group was undergoing the "Progressive gait" physical activity protocol in the city, and the 2nd group - in the rehabilitation department in a sanatorium. Survey, six-minute walk test, electrocardiography, echocardiography, coronary angiography were performed.

Results: The average distance that 2nd group patients walked in 6 minutes increased from 301.00 ±17.00 to 467.00 ±32.00 m (p<0.05). Only in patients of 2nd group during 3 weeks of complex rehabilitation there was a decrease in body mass index from 23.70 ±1.60 to 18.90 ±1.50 and the diameter of the calf muscle significantly increased from 33.90 ±2.30 cm to 38.10 ±3.10 cm (p < 0.05). Ejection fraction in the 2nd group was 51.00 ±4.50% compared to the 1st group - 44.70 ±3.60% (p < 0.05), which was accompanied by a decrease in the functional class of heart failure in patients of the 2nd group.

Conclusions: The rehabilitation potential of landscape therapy in the complex rehabilitation treatment of patients with complicated PC at the sanatorium stage is determined by a significant improvement in myocardial contractility and physical endurance of patients, and improving the quality of life.