Effects of Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation on Job Stress and Health-Related Quality of Life After Return to Work in Middle-Aged Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Ryusuke Yonezawa; Takashi Masuda; Atsuhiko Matsunaga; Yumi Takahashi; Masakazu Saitoh; Akira Ishii; Toshiki Kutsuna; Takuya Matsumoto; Kazuya Yamamoto; Naoko Aiba; Miyako Hara; Tohru Izumi

doi:10.1536/ihj.50.279

Clinical Studies

Effects of Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation on Job Stress and Health-Related Quality of Life After Return to Work in Middle-Aged Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Ryusuke Yonezawa, Takashi Masuda, Atsuhiko Matsunaga, Yumi Takahashi, Masakazu Saitoh, Akira Ishii, Toshiki Kutsuna, Takuya Matsumoto, Kazuya Yamamoto, Naoko Aiba, Miyako Hara, Tohru Izumi

Author information

Ryusuke Yonezawa
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University Hospital
Takashi Masuda
Department of Rehabilitation, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University
Atsuhiko Matsunaga
Department of Rehabilitation, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University
Yumi Takahashi
Cardiovascular Center, Kitasato University Hospital
Masakazu Saitoh
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University Hospital
Akira Ishii
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University Hospital
Toshiki Kutsuna
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University Hospital
Takuya Matsumoto
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University Hospital
Kazuya Yamamoto
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University Hospital
Naoko Aiba
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University Hospital
Miyako Hara
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University Hospital
Tohru Izumi
Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, School of Medicine, Kitasato University

Keywords: Myocardial infarction, Rehabilitation, Middle-aged, Stress, Quality of life

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2009 Volume 50 Issue 3 Pages 279-290

DOI https://doi.org/10.1536/ihj.50.279

Details

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on job stress and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after return to work in middle-aged patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A total of 109 middle-aged outpatients (57 ± 7 years) who completed a phase I CR program after AMI were enrolled, 72 of whom participated in a phase II CR program for 5 months after hospital discharge (CR group) and 37 who discontinued the phase II CR program after the discharge (non-CR group). Job stress was assessed at 6 months after the AMI using a brief job stress questionnaire containing questions related to job stressors, worksite support, level of satisfaction with work or daily life, and psychological distress. HRQOL was assessed using the short-form 36-item health survey (SF-36) at hospital discharge and at 3 and 6 months after the AMI. There were no significant differences in clinical and occupational characteristics between the CR and non-CR groups. The CR group patients exhibited significantly better results for job stressors and psychological distress and higher SF-36 scores at 6 months after the AMI, as compared with those in the non-CR group. These findings suggest that discontinuing a phase II CR program induced chronic psychosocial stress after return to work in these middle-aged post-AMI patients.

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