Effects of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation on the Muscle Function of Children with Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study

Francisco José Ferrer-Sargues, Esteban Peiró-Molina, Maria Àngels Cebrià i Iranzo, José Ignacio Carrasco Moreno, Ana Cano-Sánchez, María Isabel Vázquez-Arce, Beatriz Insa Albert and Pablo Salvador-Coloma
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Francisco José Ferrer-Sargues: Department of Physiotherapy, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46113 Valencia, Spain
Esteban Peiró-Molina: Pediatric Cardiology Section, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Maria Àngels Cebrià i Iranzo: Department of Physiotherapy, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
José Ignacio Carrasco Moreno: Pediatric Cardiology Section, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Ana Cano-Sánchez: Pediatric Cardiology Section, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
María Isabel Vázquez-Arce: Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Service, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Beatriz Insa Albert: Pediatric Cardiology Section, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Pablo Salvador-Coloma: Department of Physiotherapy, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46113 Valencia, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: Critical medical and surgical advances have led to a shift in the care and management of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). These patients present with muscle deconditioning, which negatively influences their response to exercise, functional capacities, and quality of life. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on the function of peripheral musculature of children with CHD. A single-center prospective cohort study was designed. Fifteen CHD subjects, between 12 and 16 years of age, with reduced aerobic capacity on a cardiopulmonary exercise test, were included in a three-month, 24-session CPRP. Measurements of the subjects’ handgrip strength, biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength, and triceps surae fatigue process were collected at the beginning of the program, after completion, and six months after the end of the intervention. A substantial and statistically significant improvement was observed in the subjects’ handgrip strength (kg) ( p < 0.001), biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength (N) ( p < 0.001), as well as triceps surae fatigue process (repetitions) ( p = 0.018), with a maintenance of the results six months after the intervention. These results suggest that a CPRP could potentially improve the peripheral muscle function of children with CHD. Additional research is needed to confirm and expand on this hypothesis.

Keywords: congenital abnormalities; cardiac rehabilitation; pediatric; resistance training; muscle strength; exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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