Minor Improvement in Activity and Participation and Decline in Physical Activity Motivation After Cardiac Rehabilitation Discharge

Purpose To investigate the changes in activities and participation, and mental and physical functions for 9 mo after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) among adults with chronic cardiac conditions. Methods Twenty-five adults with chronic cardiac conditions scheduled for discharge from CR were assessed at four different times: within 2-wk window of CR discharge date, 1 mo, 3 mo, and 9 mo after CR discharge. Nine assessments according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health were used to track the changes post-CR. Results Participants showed significant changes in the Cognitive Instrumental Activities of Daily Living adequacy of Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills-Clinic (F = 8.10, P = .017) and improvements in the applied cognitive domain of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care Outpatient Short Form (F = 4.493, P = .016). Participants also showed significant decline in the CogState Detection test (F = 3.307, P = .045), the Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) (F = 4.749, P = .005), and the affiliation subscale of the PALMS (F = 5.316, P = .002), and improvements in the 6-min walk test (F = 9.000, P = .011). Lastly, participants showed depressive symptoms for 3 mo post-CR. No other significant changes were detected among other outcome measures. Conclusions Adults with chronic cardiac conditions discharged from site-based CR maintained their activity and participation level following discharge with little improvement. They also showed depressive symptoms and decreased motivation for physical activity post-CR.