The effect of aerobic physical rehabilitation on the quality of life in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation; A randomized controlled clinical trial study

BACKGROUND: Management of atrial fibrillation (AF), besides prevention of stroke, mainly stresses symptom control and improvement of quality of life (QOL). In patients with permanent AF, exercising may improve QOL, rhythm, and symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of aerobic physical rehabilitation on the QOL of patients suffering from AF and admitted to a coronary care unit (CCU). METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted on 50 patients who were hospitalized with chronic AF in the CCU of Montazeri Hospital, Najafabad, Iran, and had the inclusion criteria. The participants were selected using convenience sampling method, and were randomly divided into experimental (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. The experimental group received a rehabilitation program in the form of an educational package and scheduled physical activity of aerobics for 8 weeks, and the control group received CCU routine care. The researcher measured the patients' QOL before and after the intervention using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean score of total QOL between the control and experimental groups before the intervention (P > 0.050). However, the comparison of the mean score of total QOL after the intervention showed a significant increase in the experimental group (P < 0.050). CONCLUSION: Aerobic rehabilitation activities are effective on the QOL of patients with chronic AF.