Impact of Relaxation Training and Exercise on Quality of Life in Post-myocardial Infarction Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Myocardial infarction (MI) decreases patients’ quality of life (QOL). The present study aimed to investigate the effect of relaxation training and exercise on QOL in post-MI patients. This single-blind, randomized, clinical trial was conducted on 64 post-MI patients at Fatemeh Zahra Hospital in Sari, Iran, in 2013. The study population was divided into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received training and was followed-up for 8 weeks at home. The data were collected using MacNew QOL Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS (version 16) using t-test. There were significant differences between the intervention and control groups regarding the mean scores of the three QOL domains. Total QOL showed a significant difference after relaxation program (P≤0.001). Relaxation exercises resulted in the improvement of QOL in post-MI patients. Therefore, nurses are recommended to train these exercises to patients to practice at home.