Effect of Intense Lifestyle Modification and Cardiac Rehabilitation on Psychosocial Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Quality of Life

Abstract

This study examined the effect of the Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease and cardiac rehabilitation(CR) on psychosocialrisk factors and qualityof life in patients with confirmedcoronary artery disease. Participants had previously undergone a revascularization procedure. The 84 patients self-selected to participate in the Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease (n = 507 28), CR (n = 28), or a control group (n = 28). Twelve psychosocial risk factors and quality of life variables were collected from all three groups at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. At 3 and 6 months, Ornish group participants demonstrated significant improvements in all 12 outcome measures. The rehabilitationgroupimproved in 7 of the 12, and the controlgroupshowed significant improvements in 6 of the variables. Intensive lifestyle modification programs significantly affect psychosocial risk factors and quality of life.