Impacts Of Rehabilitation Intervention The Shoulder Function And Life Quality In Patients After Cardiac Pacemaker Implantation

Background and ObjectivesThe observation and the caring of the common complication of cardiac permanent pacemaker implantation have been improved in recent years, but the shoulder related problem about the immobilization after implantation require further research. This study compared the operation-sided shoulder function and quality of life in patients after cardiac pacemaker implantation between the groups of the routine care with combination of nurse-led exercise intervention and the routine care.MethodsWe enrolled60patients, from March2014to December2014, who received permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation (single or dual-chamber) in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University. They were randomized to the control group (n=30) and the intervention group (n=30). The control group received routine care. Meanwhile, the intervention group received specific exercise aimed the operation-sided shoulder activity. All the patients received the7±2days and the30±7days telephone follow-up by the Pacemaker Specialist Nurse. The primary end point was health-related quality of life measured by the36-item Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-36) and the Shoulder Evaluation Form which including the daily activities, shoulder function and the pain. Analyses were performed in patients who completed at the questionnaires both at baseline and after3-month follow-up.ResultsTwo groups were well matched for patient baseline characteristics, and no significance were found in quality of life between two groups (p=0.789). Our study was available for59patients,1patient was lost to follow-up in the control group. Three months after implantation, the intervention group had a significantly higher life quality score (p=0.042). Shoulder Evaluation score were significantly (p<0.01) higher in the intervention group, compared with the routine care group. There was no lead displacement in either group. ConclusionsOur study proved that the shoulder exercise intervention after cardiac pacemaker implantation is feasible in Chinese patients. The exercise intervention could prevent the operation-sided shoulder problems related to pacemaker implantation, without additional risk of lead displacement. Furthermore, it could also improve patient’s quality of life after cardiac pacemaker implantation.