Influence of Stair Climbing on the Self Efficacy in Post Cardiac Surgery Patients

The psychosocial aspect of cardiac rehabilitation is one of the factors which help a patient to continue into phase two cardiac rehabilitation. Self-efficacy is a psychological construct based on social-cognitive theory, which describes the interaction between behavioral, personal, and environmental factors in health and chronic disease. Stair climbing is considered to be important to decrease the risks of cardiovascular disease.

To assess the influence of stair climbing on the self efficacy in post cardiac surgery patients.

Pre and post test design.

Kasturba hospital, Manipal.

30 post cardiac surgery patients, (mean age 48.65 years, SD ± 11.69 years).

Patients were administered the cardiac self efficacy questionnaire pre and post stair climbing on the fifth to seventh post operative days (mean 6.4 SD ± 1.43 days).

The self efficacy components of control of symptoms and maintaining function were assessed and recorded pre and post stair climbing.

A significant change was observed in the patients confidence to control their symptoms such as chest pain (p = 0.014, p<0.05) and to call their doctor (p = 0.034) post stair climbing. Under the physical activity component a highly significant change was observed in the confidence towards performing regular aerobic exercise (p = 0.004), activities with family (p = 0.008), usual social activities (p = 0.016).

We concluded from this study that stair climbing has a significant influence on the self efficacy in post cardiac surgery patients which aids in improving their confidence levels towards control of their symptoms and maintaining their physical activity.