Tele-Guided Home Cardiac Rehabilitation After CABG: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is frequently performed for advanced coronary artery disease; however, postoperative recovery is often associated with reduced functional capacity and impaired quality of life. Cardiac rehabilitation programs play an essential role in recovery, yet participation in traditional center-based programs remains limited due to logistical and accessibility barriers. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) program in improving functional capacity, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and quality of life among patients recovering from CABG surgery. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Arif Memorial Hospital, Lahore, including 26 patients who had undergone CABG surgery. Participants were randomly assigned to either a home-based cardiac rehabilitation group (n = 13) or a control group receiving usual postoperative care (n = 13). The HBCR program consisted of a 12-week structured exercise and education protocol with remote follow-up. Functional capacity was assessed using the six-minute walk test (6MWT), cardiac function was measured through echocardiographic LVEF, and quality of life was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25. Results: The HBCR group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in functional capacity compared with controls (mean increase 76.4 m vs. 40.8 m; p < 0.001). LVEF increased by 6.3% in the HBCR group compared with 3.2% in the control group (p = 0.001). Quality-of-life scores improved significantly more in the HBCR group (mean increase 24.8 vs. 13.9 points; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Home-based cardiac rehabilitation significantly improved functional capacity, cardiac function, and quality of life in post-CABG patients, supporting its potential role as an accessible alternative to traditional rehabilitation programs.