Title : Effectiveness of home-based physiotherapy and educational brochure in Cabg patients: Pilot study
Abstract:
Background: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery is often followed by functional limitations and emotional distress. Home-based physiotherapy and patient education are essential components of recovery. This case report aims to evaluate the effect of a structured home-based physiotherapy program, supported by a printed educational brochure, on physical and psychological parameters. The case also serves as a pilot study for the development of a comprehensive post-discharge rehabilitation protocol.
Case Description: The patient was a 78-year-old male who underwent CABG surgery for triple-vessel coronary artery disease. One week after surgery, Phase 2 rehabilitation began, consisting of a six-week structured home-based physiotherapy protocol. The program included breathing awareness, gait training, functional strengthening, and proprioceptive exercises. A printed brochure with individualized educational content was provided to improve adherence and self-management.
Methods: Assessment tools included the MacNew Heart Disease Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Body Awareness Questionnaire (18 items, Likert scale 1–7), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), manual muscle strength testing, and pain pressure threshold measurements.
Results: After the six-week intervention, marked improvements were observed in all outcome measures. The MacNew score improved from 3.2 to 5.6. The body awareness score increased from 24 to 110 HADS- anxiety scores decreased from 11 to 6, and depression scores decreased from 12 to 5. Muscle strength increased from 3/5 to 4/5 in the lower extremities, and from 4/5 to 5/5 in the upper extremities. The pressure pain threshold improved from 2.3 kg/cm² to 3.9 kg/cm².
Conclusion: This case demonstrates that initiating Phase 2 physiotherapy just one week after CABG surgery, combined with printed educational materials, can lead to significant improvements in quality of life, emotional well-being, physical strength, and body awareness. Such programs may serve as practical and effective components of modern cardiac rehabilitation strategies.
