Effects of home-based cardiac exercise program on the exercise tolerance, serum lipid values and self-efficacy of coronary patients.

Background: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and reduces cardiac risk factors. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a home-based cardiac exercise program (HBCEP) on exercise tolerance, serum lipids, and self-efficacy in coronary heart disease patients in Turkey. Self-efficacy theory provided the framework for this study's intervention.

Design: The study design was a pre-test and post-test experimental, randomized assignment.

Method: The study included 30 participants in a home-based cardiac exercise program (HBCEP; mean age=54.7+/-7.8) and 30 in control (C; mean age=52.7+/-6.5). The Phase II cardiac exercise program included three 45-60-min sessions per week for 12 weeks, and the enhancement of self-efficacy through educational sessions and the use of goal setting, modelling, and physiological feedback strategies. Both groups were comparable in their medical regimen, exercise capacity, and other measured variables pre-intervention. At baseline and after 12 weeks, exercise capacity was evaluated by exercise testing using the Bruce Protocol, self-efficacy was measured with the Cardiac Exercise Self Efficacy Index, and serum lipid values were measured.

Results: At the completion of the 12-week exercise program, the exercise capacity (P<0.001), total cholesterol (P=0.004), triglycerides (P=0.048), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P=0.001), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P=0.039), and self-efficacy (P<0.001) of the HBCEP Group were significantly improved compared to the control group.

Conclusion: These results suggest that a first-time HBCEP in Turkey can be successful in having patients adhere to a prescribed exercise program and reduce risk factors. Enhanced self-efficacy may have mediated the improved behavioural outcomes.