Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation and shoulder exercise in post CABG patients and QOL

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a common surgical procedure for coronary artery disease. While life-saving, patients frequently experience post-operative complications such as shoulder dysfunction, pain, restricted mobility, and impaired pulmonary function due to sternotomy and prolonged immobility. These factors negatively affect functional recovery and quality of life (QOL).

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of a structured pulmonary rehabilitation and shoulder exercise program on QOL, shoulder mobility, pain reduction, and functional recovery in post-CABG patients. A total of 30 participants, aged 45–70 years and within 1–3 months post-surgery, will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group will receive pulmonary rehabilitation and a structured shoulder exercise program, while the control group will undergo usual care without targeted shoulder rehabilitation.

The intervention for the experimental group will include breathing exercises (diaphragmatic, pursed-lip breathing, incentive spirometry), progressive range of motion (ROM) exercises, scapular stability training, and light strengthening with resistance bands, performed under physiotherapist supervision for 4 weeks (3 sessions per week).

Outcome measures will include Quality of Life (SF-36/MacNew questionnaire) as the primary outcome, and secondary outcomes such as shoulder ROM (goniometer), pain (Visual Analog Scale), functional ability (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index – SPADI), cardiovascular endurance (6-Minute Walk Test), and pulmonary function. Assessments will be done at baseline and after 6 weeks.

It is hypothesized that pulmonary rehabilitation combined with shoulder-specific exercises will significantly improve QOL, reduce pain, enhance shoulder mobility, and promote faster recovery compared to usual care. Findings from this study are expected to provide evidence for integrating structured physiotherapy protocols into standard post-CABG rehabilitation programs, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and reducing long-term disability.