Recovery of Lung Function, Dominant Handgrip Strength, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Cardiac Surgical Patients Following Hospital Discharge

Authors

Nnamdi Mgbemena, James Cook UniversityFollow
Anne Jones, James Cook UniversityFollow
Pankaj Saxena, Townsville University HospitalFollow
Nicholas Ang, Townsville University HospitalFollow
Siva Senthuran, Townsville University HospitalFollow
Anthony Leicht, James Cook UniversityFollow

Abstract

Purpose: Assessment of recovery in post-cardiac surgical patients is commonly conducted using lung function, dominant handgrip strength (DHGS), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to determine the recovery of lung function, DHGS and HRQoL in cardiac surgical patients at six-weeks and six-months after hospital discharge. Further, this study investigated the association between these parameters and the predictive ability of DHGS for lung function and HRQoL. Methods: This was a prospective observational study that involved 58 cardiac surgical patients who completed lung function, DHGS, and HRQoL assessments pre-operatively, at six-weeks, and six-months after hospital discharge. Lung function was assessed using three different calibrated spirometers, while DHGS was measured using three different calibrated handgrip dynamometers. The Short-Form 36 questionnaire was utilized for HRQoL assessment. Results: At six-weeks after hospital discharge, lung function and DHGS were significantly (pConclusion:Variable changes were identified in lung function, DHGS, and HRQoL in cardiac surgical patients at six-weeks and six-months after hospital discharge. Dominant hand grip strength may have limited or no value in predicting lung function and HRQoL in cardiac surgical patients during the intermediate recovery period.

Author Bio(s)

Nnamdi Mgbemena, PhD, is a Physiotherapist and recently completed his doctoral studies at the College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University Australia.

Anne Jones, PhD, is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Physiotherapy Discipline at the College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Australia.

Pankaj Saxena, MBBS, is a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Townsville University Hospital, Australia. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Medicine and Surgery, James Cook University, Australia.

Nicholas Ang, MBBS, is a Cardiothoracic Registrar at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Townsville University Hospital, Australia.

Siva Senthuran, MBBS, is a Senior Staff Specialist at the Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

Anthony Leicht, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Sports and Exercise Sciences at the College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Australia.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the patients for participating in this study, the staff of the Physiotherapy Department at the Townsville University Hospital and the staff of the Cardiac Unit, Mater Hospital, Townsville. We would also like to appreciate Melanie Poxton, Kelly Sinclair and Hayley Ferguson for their assistance during the data collection phase of the study and Dr Michael Crowe for his statistical assistance. This study received an internal grant from the College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University.

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2023.2304

Recommended Citation

Mgbemena N, Jones A, Saxena P, Ang N, Senthuran S, Leicht A. Recovery of Lung Function, Dominant Handgrip Strength, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Cardiac Surgical Patients Following Hospital Discharge. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2023 Mar 20;21(2), Article 5.