Prof.Mrs. Umamaheshwari, M.Sc Nursing, Professor cum HOD, Dep. of Medical Surgical Nursing, Kumaran College of Nursing, Coimbatore
Abstract: Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) being a well-established surgical intervention for patients with advanced coronary artery disease. However, optimal postoperative recovery requires comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation that addresses both physical and psychosocial needs. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a nursing-guided cardiac rehabilitation program on the quality of life among patients undergoing CABG in selected tertiary care hospitals, Coimbatore. A total of 100 patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 50) or the control group (n = 50). Baseline quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire before discharge. The intervention group received a structured nursing-guided cardiac rehabilitation program comprising individualized education, breathing and physical exercises, dietary counselling, medication adherence training, lifestyle modification, stress management, and scheduled telephonic follow-up for three months, while the control group received routine postoperative care. At the end of the study, 96 participants completed the follow-up (48 in each group). The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in overall quality of life and in the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were also observed in body mass index, blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and six-minute walk distance (p < 0.05). Educational status and adherence to the rehabilitation program were significantly associated with improved quality-of-life outcomes. The findings suggest that integrating a structured nursing-guided cardiac rehabilitation program into routine postoperative care significantly enhances recovery, quality of life, and overall health outcomes among patients undergoing CABG in tertiary care hospitals.
Keywords: Coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass grafting, cardiac rehabilitation, nursing-guided rehabilitation, quality of life, randomized controlled trial.
Citation: To be assigned
DOI: To be assigned
Article Information
- Received: 12/07/2026
- Revised: 29/07/2026
- Accepted: 8/08/2026
- Published: 16/08/2026
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