Effect of acupuncture and exercise rehabilitation on quality of life in acute coronary syndrome patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the impact of acupuncture combined with exercise rehabilitation on the quality of life in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

In a retrospective study at the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 114 post-PCI ACS patients were analyzed from March 2021 to June 2023. Fifty-five underwent exercise rehabilitation (control group), while 59 received both acupuncture and exercise rehabilitation (joint group). Propensity score matching reduced each group to 38 patients. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) scores, 6-minute walk distance, cardiac function, and biochemical indices were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) measured quality of life changes, categorizing scores <24 as good and ≥24 as poor. Logistic regression identified factors affecting quality of life.

RESULTS

The joint group showed significant improvements in TCM scores, 6-minute walk distance, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac output, cardiac index, and levels of CK-MB, cTnT, and homocysteine compared to the control group (P<0.05). MLHFQ scores for physical limitations and disease symptoms decreased significantly in the joint group, with no marked changes in social relationship scores (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Acupuncture alongside exercise rehabilitation significantly improves quality of life, cardiac function, and biochemical markers in ACS patients post-PCI, surpassing the effects of rehabilitation alone. This combination approach notably diminishes symptoms and improves daily functioning.