RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass surgery is the leading cause of change in the quality of life and pulmonary function of patients. One strategy to enhance lung muscle strength and improve overall quality of life is pulmonary rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of incorporating a pulmonary rehabilitation program into phase II cardiac rehabilitation program on the quality of life of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial study included 53 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery at Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad between September 2019 and March 2020. The research participants were selected based on specific inclusion criteria and divided into two groups. The control group followed the routine rehabilitation program, whereas the intervention group underwent a pulmonary rehabilitation program for 20-30 min after each session of the cardiac rehabilitation program. Data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire and the Ferrans and Powers' quality of life index. The data were analyzed using the independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test, paired t-test, Spearman correlation, Wilcoxon test, and SPSS25. RESULTS: The mean quality of life score in the intervention group(20.7±1.8) was significantly higher than that of the control group (18.8±2.3)(P < 0.05). Furthermore, the intervention group exhibited significantly higher mean scores in the physical, psychological-spiritual, and family dimensions than the control group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study results demonstrate the positive impact of incorporating a pulmonary rehabilitation program into cardiac rehabilitation on the health-related quality of life of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20190707044132N1.