Augmented Walking Program: A Novel Approach to Functional Status after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Abstract

The CABG surgery exerts physical, social and psychological adaptive challenges during preoperative period that continue well after discharge [1,2,3]. The success of cardiac surgery is measured by physical activity after cardiac surgery with positive consequences on self-confidence, socialization, return to work and normalization of daily life activities. Investing the time to detail the patients’ pre-operative health education which significantly benefits patients and sets the stage for preventing post-operative complications. The study identified the effect of augmented walking program [AWP] on functional status among patients subjected to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting [CABG] surgery. The AWP, a multi component approach, implemented during preoperative management and followed up throughout the postoperative period. The AWP included the walking program schedule incorporated with self monitoring of rate of perceived exertion, warm-up, cool down phases along with health promotion advice by using the booklet. The functional status was measured using the six minute walk test [SMWT]. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in the mean scores of functional status during posttest II & III, among the subjects in both groups whereas, the mean score of the study group was much more than the control group which confirmed the presence of a statistically significant difference between the study and control groups with p< 0.01 level during posttest II and with p<
0.1 level during posttest III.