Effects of a designed walking program on mental health, functional ability and Cardiac symptoms on Patients with thalassemia major

Background: Thalassemia is the most common hereditary disease in Iran. Cardiac complications and cardiac symptom have been identified as the major problem, which has profound impact on the mental health of patients with thalassemia. One method of reducing this impact is an exercise plan. Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a designed Walking plan on the mental health and functional ability and cardiac symptoms in patients with thalassemia. Methods: In a semi-experimental study, 75 patients with thalassemia major (18 years and older) were randomly divided into the case and control groups. The patients in case group sas carried out the designed walking plan for eight weeks. At the beginning and end of the program mental health measured by (Goldberg) Questionnaire, functional ability measured by 6MWT. Cardiac symptoms were measured every week by Cardiac symptoms questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire was assessed by content validity and test-retest reliability with (α=0.96). Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. Chi-square and paired and Independent T-test and Repeated Measure ANOVA were performed. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups in demographic variables. The post mean of mental health in case group (39/72±6.27) was lower than the control group (54/67±6.03) and this difference of mean mental health between two groups was significant (p=0.001). Mean of distance 6MWT in case group (440/65±103.46 M), was more than the control group (395/50±90.25 M) and the mean distance 6MWT between two groups was also significant (p=0.04). Repeated measures analysis of variance of cardiac symptoms scores have shown that there is a significant difference from the viewpoint of change pattern of mean Cardiac symptoms score in eight weeks between two groups (p=0.001). Conclusion: Implement designed walking program improve the mental health, functional ability and reduces cardiac symptoms. This program is recommended to all patients with thalassemia.