Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
2
Department of Public Health, Qaen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
3
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
4
Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
5
Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
6
Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves functional outcomes in cardiovascular disease; however, optimal session duration remains debated. We compared the efficacy of a 12-session versus a 24-session CR program on echocardiographic parameters, functional capacity, anthropometric indices, and cardiometabolic markers in male cardiac patients.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 49 male cardiac patients allocated to a 12-session (n = 25) or 24-session (n = 24) CR program at Razi Hospital, Birjand, Iran (2020–2021). Allocation was non-randomized and determined pragmatically by third-party insurance coverage tiers. Baseline-adjusted between-group comparisons were performed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable between groups. In baseline-adjusted between-group comparisons (ANCOVA), the 24-session group demonstrated statistically significant improvements compared to the 12-session group only in ejection fraction (adjusted mean difference [AMD]: 4.20%, 95% CI: 1.10 to 7.30; P = 0.010), maximum metabolic equivalent (AMD: 2.27 METs, 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.52; P = 0.001), maximum oxygen uptake (AMD: 7.17 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: 2.99 to 11.30; P = 0.002), body mass index (AMD: −0.68 kg/m², 95% CI: −1.12 to −0.24; P = 0.004), and waist circumference (AMD: −5.80 cm, 95% CI: −10.40 to −1.20; P = 0.015). No statistically significant adjusted between-group differences were observed for blood pressure, resting/maximum heart rate, exercise duration/distance, or circulating biochemical biomarkers (all P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Compared with a 12-session program, a 24-session CR program provided modest additional benefits restricted specifically to left ventricular ejection fraction, exercise capacity, and central adiposity in male patients. However, extended training did not yield superior improvements in hemodynamic or biochemical profiles. Given the non-randomized insurance-based allocation, small sample size, and male-only cohort, these preliminary findings should be interpreted with caution and cannot be generalized to female patients.
Highlights
Reyhane Zeinalnezhad (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Shima Khosravi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
1 Maryam Sadat Rahimi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
1 Toba Kazemi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Ali Bidokhti (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Seyed Mohammad Riahi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
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