Evaluation of the relationship between peripheral muscle strength, anxiety level and functional capacity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

This study was planned to evaluate the relationship between peripheral muscle strength, anxiety level and functional capacity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Research data were collected by questionnaire method. The study was conducted between November 2021 and December 2022. Twenty-two volunteer patients who underwent CABG surgery participated in the study (mean age 62.4 years, ± 6.5). At the fourth and eighth weeks after CABG surgery, submaximal exercise capacity was evaluated with the 6 Minutes Walk Test (6MWT), the 30 Seconds Stand Up and Sit Test, and The Timed Up and Go Test. Hand grip strength and hand grip static endurance were measured with a hand dynamometer Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer). In both extremities; Muscle strength assessment of M. Biceps Brachii, M. Quadriceps Femoris and hip flexor muscle group was performed with a digital dynamometer (JTECH, Medical Commander Powertrack II, USA). Anxiety level was determined by the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). SPSS 25 package program was used for statistical analysis of the data. Right grip strength, right hand grip static endurance time and 6MWT distance were significantly higher in the second assessment than in the first assessment (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between other peripheral muscle strengths and STAI scale scores measured in the first and last evaluation (p>0.05). In the first evaluation, the number of 30 seconds stand up and sit test repetitions was significantly lower than the last evaluation (p<0.05). Timed Up and Go Test time was significantly shorter at the final evaluation (p<0.05). As a result, patients' exercise performance and hand grip strength increased in the eighth week after CABG surgery.