The effect of early mobilization program on incidence of arrhythmias in patients after acute myocardial infarction

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of early mobilization program on incidence of arrhythmias in patients after acute myocardial infarction in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Dehdasht, Iran.

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the most common causes of disability and mortality in most countries. Rehabilitation and mobility management of these patients, immediately after admission to the cardiac care unit, can reduces complications and decreases their physical and cognitive function impairment.

This was a clinical trial study, in which 60 patients with acute myocardial infarction, referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Dehdasht, Iran were selected by convenience sampling during the year 2019 and randomly assigned to experimental (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. In the experimental group, patients received an organized program in 8 stages, 18 hours after admission to the cardiac care unit, and in control group, the patients got out of bed 48 hours after admission based on the usual protocol. Patients were monitored before, during, and after getting out of bed for the number and type of arrhythmias. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 22.

There was a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control group in the number and type of arrhythmias, 48 hours and 51 hours after admission in the cardiac care unit. However, this difference was not statistically significant at 54 hours after admission to the cardiac care unit.

Early mobilization can reduce the number of arrhythmias in patients after myocardial infarction. Early mobilization can be included in the cardiac care unit rehabilitation program as a safe mathod. Therefore, it is recommended to use early mobilization program for patients with acute myocardial infarction in cardiac care unit on the first day of hospitalization.