Psychic effects of physical training and relaxation therapy after myocardial infarction.

The psychological impact of exercise training and relaxation therapy was investigated in 156 myocardial infarction patients. They were randomly assigned to either exercise plus relaxation and breathing therapy (Treatment A: n = 76) or exercise training only (Treatment B: n = 80). Patients in Treatment A improved on three out of eight psychological measurements (anxiety, well-being, feelings of invalidity). No change was demonstrable in Treatment B. The difference between the treatments was significant for wellbeing (p less than 0.005). Physical outcome, measured by exercise testing was positive in about half of the patients (Treatment A: 55%, Treatment B: 46%). A negative outcome occurred less in Treatment A (p less than 0.05). Training success was not associated with psychic benefit. The association differed for the two treatments. It was concluded that exercise training was effective for some but not for all cardiac patients, and that a psychic effect of exercise could not be demonstrated. Relaxation therapy enhanced physical and psychic outcome of rehabilitation.