LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAM AFTER MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects on myocar dial infarction (MI) patients of a six-month comprehensive rehabilitat ion programme (CRP) conducted by an interdisciplinary team regarding c ardiac events, physical and psychological conditions, life habits, and cardiac health knowledge. The results of a multivariate analysis carr ied out five years after the MI showed that cardiac events and psychol ogical condition were not significantly influenced by the CRP. However , it was found that the physical condition of the patients benefited f rom the CRP; self-reported physical fitness (p < 0.002) and physical e xercise test (p < 0.007). CRP participation was linked to significant modifications of life habits (diet change; p < 0.04, sexual activity; p < 0.000). The cardiac health knowledge was significantly improved by participation in the CRP (basic cardiac knowledge; p < 0.005; knowled ge about misconceptions; p < 0.04). In conclusion, CRPs have had posit ive long-term effects on physical condition, life habits and cardiac h ealth knowledge. No such effects, however, were found regarding either cardiac events or psychological condition.