Effects of the First Phase of Cardiac Rehabilitation Training on Self-Efficacy among Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Background: Heart surgery is vital for patients with coronary artery diseases that do not respond to drug treatments. We aimed to determine the effects of the implementation of the first phase of a cardiac rehabilitation program on self-efficacy in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 60 post-CABG patients by convenience sampling method in 2016. Those selected were randomly assigned to intervention (n=30) and control group (n=30). Overall, 72 hours after CABG, the first phase of the cardiac rehabilitation program both in theory and in practice (face-to-face and group methods) was conducted. Data were collected using a self-efficacy questionnaire completed by the patients in 3 stages: before the intervention, at discharge, and at 1 month after discharge. Data was analyzed by using analysis of covariance and repeated measures. Results: The mean of age in the intervention and control groups was 61.60±11.72 and 57.97±13. 4 years, respectively. There were 16 (53.3%) male patients in each group. The mean score of self-efficacy was not significantly different between the 2 groups before the intervention (P=0.076), whereas it had a meaningful statistical difference between the 2 groups at discharge and 1 month afterward (P<0.001). Conclusion: The implementation of the first phase of the cardiac rehabilitation program not only augmented self-efficacy in regard to independent daily activities but also lessened the need for the second phase of the program among our post-CABG patients.