The impact of cardiac rehabilitation exercises incorporating music movement therapy on atrial fibrillation patients: a forward-looking investigation.

Abstract

Objective: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) stands as a crucial therapeutic measure for improving the prognosis of individuals afflicted with cardiovascular ailments. This investigation seeks to examine the efficacy of CR training that integrates music and movement therapy in addressing atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.

Methods: From January 2023 to January 2024, a total of 144 AF patients who sought medical attention at Tongji Hospital in Shanghai were selected as research subjects. These participants were evenly divided into three groups through randomization: 48 patients in the music-movement CR group, 49 in the movement CR group, and 47 in the conventional CR group. Patients in the conventional CR group underwent standard CR training, while those in the movement CR group participated in CR training centered on movement therapy. The music-movement CR group engaged in CR training that harmoniously combined music and movement therapy. The intervention spanned a period of six months for all three groups. Post-intervention, comparative analyses were performed on cardiac function, AF duration, complication incidence, adverse emotional states, sleep quality, and quality of life among the three groups.

Results: Post-intervention, compared to the Conventional CR group, the Music-Movement CR group demonstrated: Significantly lower LVEDD (43.65 ± 3.87 mm vs. 50.20 ± 3.88 mm, p < 0.001) and higher LVEF (48.47 ± 3.69% vs. 42.63 ± 4.12%, p < 0.001). Shorter AF duration (3.41 ± 0.14 days vs. 4.19 ± 0.67 days, p < 0.001) and lower complication rate (6.25% vs. 21.28%, p = 0.033). Lower SAS (50.31 ± 5.71 vs. 58.69 ± 6.45, p < 0.001) and SDS scores (51.15 ± 5.53 vs. 57.52 ± 6.17, p < 0.001). Higher AFEQT total scores (84.87 ± 14.67 vs. 72.31 ± 14.13, p < 0.001). Improvements in the Music-Movement CR group were also consistently superior to the Movement CR group across these metrics (all p < 0.05 or lower).

Conclusion: Implementing CR training that incorporates music and movement therapy for AF patients demonstrably enhances cardiac function, curtails AF duration and complication rates, and ameliorates emotional states, sleep quality, and overall quality of life.