State-of-the-art research I
Clinical Research Rehabilitation for Heart Disease Patients
Clinical Research on Cardiac Rehabilitation for Heart Disease Patients
Research of Effects on Cardiac Function, Motor Function and QOL, and Expansion of Rehabilitation Medicine
Aggressive rehabilitation for ischemic heart diseases such as myocardial infarction and angina has only been performed since the 1970s, and its world-wide history is less than thirty years. Recently the development of scientific (evidence-based) healthcare
systems has become an important issue, as survival rates have dramatically improved due to enhanced emergency medical systems, and focus is placed on early intervention for severe cases and the elderly.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Room was established in May 2000 as a part of Kitasato University Hospital's General Rehabilitation Center for the purposes of (1) recovery of physical and mental functions which have been reduced by heart disease, (2) improvement of QOL including rapid return to work and high quality social life and (3) secondary measures to prevent reinfarction or sudden death. Since then, effects on cardiac function, motor function and QOL have been researched, and rehabilitation medicine is being expanded based on that evidence.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Room was established in May 2000 as a part of Kitasato University Hospital's General Rehabilitation Center for the purposes of (1) recovery of physical and mental functions which have been reduced by heart disease, (2) improvement of QOL including rapid return to work and high quality social life and (3) secondary measures to prevent reinfarction or sudden death. Since then, effects on cardiac function, motor function and QOL have been researched, and rehabilitation medicine is being expanded based on that evidence.
Professor Takashi Masuda
Physical Therapy Course
Department of Rehabilitation
The Development of Evidence-Based Rehabilitation Medicine Has Drawn Attention Worldwide as Pioneering
Diseases in which blood flow to the muscles of the heart itself is impaired, such as acute myocardial infarction and angina, are known as ischemic diseases. Until recently, exercise has been restricted for patients with such ischemic heart disease, because
of the risk of aggravating their condition. However, the risk is minimized by prescribing an appropriate amount of exercise within the margin of safety. We have found that improvement of QOL can be efficiently obtained by setting targets for the type
of exercise, intensity, duration, frequency and time which are tailored to the patient's condition, and conducting effective exercise therapy. After discharge, in order to feel comfortable returning to work as before hospitalization, cardiac function
must of course have recovered, but recovery of exercise ability is also an important factor related to returning to work. In the Cardiac Rehabilitation Room, rehabilitation is conducted using a treadmill and bicycle ergometer. This exercise therapy features
advantages including (1) the ability to monitor blood pressure and electrocardiogram during exercise, (2) the ability to set a proper amount of exercise for the patient and (3) allows rapid movement to the recovery phase of exercise therapy. A correct
exercise prescription of regular aerobic exercise and muscle training is effective for quickly returning safety to society and improving the quality of life.
From various cases and data obtained in clinical practice with the largest number of patients nationwide, evidence-based cardiac rehabilitation is attracting world-wide attention as pioneering development and research.
From various cases and data obtained in clinical practice with the largest number of patients nationwide, evidence-based cardiac rehabilitation is attracting world-wide attention as pioneering development and research.
Each of the co-medical staff practices medicine to heal the heart in their respective positions.
The efforts of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Room
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Room was established in May 2000 as part of Kitasato University Hospital's General Rehabilitation Center.
Currently, the number of patients visiting Kitasato University's Cardiac Rehabilitation Room is the largest in Japan. The full-time staff of two doctors, three physical therapists and three nurses aims for early mobilization of hospitalized patients, rapid return to society after discharge and prevention of recurrence of disease, conducting effective research on heart function, motor function and QOL (quality of life), and developing scientific (evidence-based) medical treatments.
Currently, the number of patients visiting Kitasato University's Cardiac Rehabilitation Room is the largest in Japan. The full-time staff of two doctors, three physical therapists and three nurses aims for early mobilization of hospitalized patients, rapid return to society after discharge and prevention of recurrence of disease, conducting effective research on heart function, motor function and QOL (quality of life), and developing scientific (evidence-based) medical treatments.