Observation of the effect of a 7-day gradual early functional exercise program in middle-aged and young patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is characterized by a critical condition, rapid progression, and a high fatality rate. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the treatment of choice for AMI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a 7-day gradual early functional exercise program after PCI in young and middle-aged patients with AMI. METHODS A total of 106 young and middle-aged patients with AMI at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from May 2018 to May 2019 were selected and divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method (n=53 per group). Both groups were treated with PCI, and the control group then received routine functional exercises after surgery, whilst the observation group received a 7-day gradual early functional exercise program after surgery. Functional exercise compliance, daily life ability before and after intervention, changes in quality of life, and postoperative complications after 1 year were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS The functional exercise compliance of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The daily living ability of the observation group was also significantly better than that of the control group after the intervention (PP<0.05). The physical activity, emotional response, diet, adverse drug reactions, and anxiety medication scores of the observation group after the intervention were lower than those of the control group (PP<0.05). Furthermore, the postoperative complications and total complication rate after 1 year in the observation group was lower than the control group (PP<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The application of a 7-day gradual early functional exercise program in young and middle-aged patients with AMI after PCI can improve functional exercise compliance, daily life ability, quality of life, and reduce the incidence of complications.