Functional capacity assessment and Minimal Clinically Important Difference in post-acute cardiac patients: the role of Short Physical Performance Battery.

Background: The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test is a well-established tool to assess physical performance, and to identify frail patients. Assessment of the SPPB in a specific population of elder patients in cardiac rehabilitation phase after a cardiac event is missing.

Aim: The aim of this study was to correlate SPPB and the cardiac rehabilitation outcome in a group of elder patients after a cardiac event and to identify the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) of the SPPB.