Impact of exercise on the activity of the autonomic nervous system among patients with acute myocardial infarction: A case-control study

Abstract

Considering the diversity of proposed programs, various studies yielded different findings in this regard. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different types of exercise as a method of rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction on the activity of the autonomic nervous system.

Methods

In this case-control and prospective study, a total of 60 patients with the first acute myocardial infarction were randomly selected. Controlled treadmill exercise was performed for 15-20 minutes three days a week for three consecutive weeks and then 5 weeks of home-based exercise, including 30-min walking 3 times a week based on heart rate in the two groups (n= 20 people per group). The control group performed home-based exercise for 8 weeks.

Results

In A, B, and control groups, the mean changes in SDNN (28.30, 29.28, and 15.40, respectively), LF (57.10, 198.8 and -47.70, respectively), HF (-11.70, 120.60, and -58.10, respectively) TP (192.80, 1251.20, and-0.225, respectively), pNN50 (0.80, 4.60, and -0.40, respectively), SDNN index (90.20, 13.4, and -0.20, respectively), and SDANN (80.80, 22.24, and 16.20, respectively) were significantly higher in the intervention groups, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two intervention groups (A and B).

Conclusions

The present study showed that in-hospital exercise-based rehabilitation can have a more favorable effect on the activity of the autonomic nervous system after acute myocardial infarction. It seems necessary to establish rehabilitation centers in hospitals, because uncontrolled home-based rehabilitation is probably less effective for various reasons, such as lack of strict adherence to the instructions.

Imprint

Mojgan Haj Ahmadi Pour Rafsanjani, Samira Moghadam, Roghaiyeh Afsargharehbagh. Impact of exercise on the activity of the autonomic nervous system among patients with acute myocardial infarction: A case-control study. Cardiometry; Issue 18; May 2021; p.67-72; DOI: 10.18137/cardiometry.2021.18.6772; Available from: http://www.cardiometry.net/issues/no18-may-2021/autonomicnervous-system