PARTICIPATION IN THE CARDIAC TRANSPLANT GAMES - IMPACT ON HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY-OF-LIFE

Despite pre-operative deconditioning and lowered aerobic capacity for cardiac transplant patients, significant exercise benefits have been d ocumented following hospital-based rehabilitation. Patient-led groups have also developed exercise-based events, e.g. the Cardiac Transplant Games. These may have significant psychosocial, as well as physical b enefits, but are also potential sources of stress. This study examined patients from a National Transplant Centre, intending to participate in the international Cardiac Transplant Games. Twenty patients (15 mal e/5 female) were assessed to determine medical suitability and prescri be training schedules. Psychological assessment was completed seven to 12 weeks before (T1), the week before (T2), and a week after the Game s (T3). This included physical symptoms,body image, anxiety, mood and health-related quality of life (QoL). One patient was advised not to p articipate, five withdrew (three for health reasons), leaving 14 parti cipants (13 male/1 female), mean age 46.4 (range 31-67) years. Results (for 12 of 14 participants) indicated significant effects ibr body im age and physical symptoms; both improved from T1-T2; this benefit was retained at T3. There was no change in anxiety, mood or health-related QoL over time. Thus participation in a sporting event by well-selecte d transplant patients was associated with no negative psychological ef fects but with decreased physical symptomatology and an enhanced body image.