Effects of Pilates-based Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy for In-Patients After Cardiac Surgery

Postoperative pulmonary and musculoskeletal complications are the most frequent and significant contributor to morbidity, mortality with hospitalization. Pilates-based exercise has be applied to improve core control, movement efficiency and postural stability. High incidence of musculoskeletal problems have been concerned in relation to the patient's functional recovery after cardiac surgery. However, no literature is addressed how to manage this issue effectively till now. The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of pilates-based cardiopulmonary physical therapy for in-patients after cardiac surgery. This is a single-blinded, randomized control trial. Investigators will enroll pre-cardiac surgery and allocate subjects to modified Pilates-based training group or control group using block randomization.The training protocol will be based on pilates concepts. The control group is treated with a conventional protocol of physical therapy. The study will be carried on whole in-patient phase. During this period, patients received respiratory motion analysis, chest wall muscles mobility, lung function and endurance evaluation. Patients' changes in respiratory movement, cardiopulmonary endurance, and lung function will be evaluated by an assessor blinded to the intervention at admission and discharge from hospital. After 6 months after hospital discharge, patient's respiratory motion, lung function and disease specific health related quality of life will be evaluated. All outcomes will be described by mean (SD) or number (%). Independent t test or chi square test will be used to compare the basic data difference between training group and conventional group. Then, two-way analysis of variance or two-way analysis of covariance will be used to compare the outcomes difference between groups. Alpha level is set at 0.05.