Effect of Chair Aerobics on Functional Capacity Among Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Patients: A Randomised Trial

Objectives The exercise capacity post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery affects the quality of life. It also improves the prognosis and helps with early ambulation and related activities. Improving the exercise capacity post-CABG may help patients regain functional capacity, return to work, and reduce the cost of readmission. We use cost-effective treatments to identify the effect of both on the exercise capacity among post-CABG patients for 1 week during phase 1 of cardiac rehabilitation. Hence, our objective is to assess the effectiveness of chair aerobics on exercise capacity in patients undergoing CABG. Material and Methods Out of the 95 patients who were screened using the selection criteria, 90 patients were chosen for recruitment. Two groups of patients were randomly assigned. Group B had standard therapy, while Group A participated in progressive chair aerobics. The treatment lasted for 15 minutes. In the morning session, the therapy was administered once daily. From postoperative day (POD)-1 to POD-7, the standard cardiac rehabilitation program begins. From POD 3 to POD 7, chair aerobics are provided. On the preoperative day and the POD 7, a 6-min walk test is administered. Results The outcome measure did not show any significant improvement in the intervention group. Whereas it showed a significant difference in the control group. Conclusion Chair aerobics during the early postoperative phase of CABG did not show a significant improvement in exercise capacity compared with standard therapy within the short intervention period. However, early structured physical activity remains an important component of cardiac rehabilitation. Further studies with longer duration and larger samples are needed to clarify its potential benefits.