Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation with lower limb paddling, with phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation without lower limb paddling.

Study Design: Randomized clinical Trail

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Cardiology, Rawal General and Dental Hospital Islamabad from 1^st January 2020 to 31^st December 2020.

Methodology:  Fifty four patients, 27 in each group were determined using general self-efficacy before intervention readings. Inclusion was made on post elective Sternotomy surgery, post extubation, both genders, age between 35 and 60 years, body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 30 kg/m2, hemodynamic stability, absence of arrhythmias. 

Results: The mean SF-36 at day 1 was 37.74±1.45 and at Day 7 was 90.42±11.8 in experimental group and 37.22±1.45 at Day 1 and 76.81±2.58 at day 7 for control group respectively. The mean FIM at day 1 was 31.48±5.07 and on day 7 it was 109.03±5.97 in experimental group compared to 33.66±5.34 on day 1, and 82.44±13.35 on day 7 for controls. The mean for self-efficacy at day 1 was 19.11±2.5 and at day 7 it was 62.59±3.17 in experimental compared to 21.11±3.59 on day 1, and 61.74±6.32 on day 7 in the controls. The mean EF was same at day 1 and day 7, in experimental group it was 53.11±4.8 whereas for control group it was 53.85±3.76 one day 1 and day 7. The mean ABGs at day 1 were 7.41±0.05 and at Day 7 it was 7.42±0.04 in experimental group whereas in the controls it was 7.39±0.39 at Day 1 and 7.44±0.01 at day 7.

Conclusion: Phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation with and without paddling have similar effects according to ABGs and Ejection fraction. However, the quality of life was found significantly improved using paddling intervention during Phase 1 Cardiac rehabilitation compared to those without paddling. Hence it is implied that it is safe to incorporate paddling with phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation in post CABG patients.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease, Cardiac rehabilitation, CABG, Ergometer