Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation can prevent complication, reduce disease progression, and improve functional performance among post-ischemic heart disease patients. This pre-post quasi-experimental study was aimed to evaluate the effects of the integrated cardiac rehabilitation (ICR) program for Thai people. The 4-week ICR program was developed based on evidenced base practice for ischemic heart disease patients. The core components of the ICR program consisted of health coach, information about ischemic heart disease, illness management, risk reduction, self-management, and lifestyle modification. Thirty post- ischemic heart disease patients were recruited based on the inclusion criteria and participated in the ICR program 2 times a week; 2 sessions at OPD, 2 home visits, and phone calls. Data were collected by a package of questionnaires including demographic, health behaviors. Functional performance was measured by GraminViofit pedometer for walking steps. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and paired t-test. Results revealed that participants gained better health behaviors (risk behavior, physical activity/exercise, stress management, medical adherence, and self- management related to IHD at p