# The effects of Guozhuang dance on exercise self-efficacy in coronary heart disease patients following percutaneous coronary intervention: a randomized controlled trial

## TL;DR

A 12-week Guozhuang dance program improves exercise confidence, physical ability, and quality of life in heart patients after a medical procedure.

## Contribution

This study is the first to evaluate Guozhuang dance as a rehabilitation method for coronary heart disease patients post-PCI.

## Key findings

- Guozhuang dance significantly improved exercise self-efficacy and functional capacity in CHD patients.
- The intervention group showed greater improvements in physical activity and quality of life compared to conventional rehabilitation.
- Benefits of the dance program were sustained six weeks after the intervention ended.

## Abstract

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death. Despite PCI improving coronary perfusion, many patients face low physical activity, reduced self-efficacy, and poor quality of life, emphasizing the need for better rehabilitation.

To evaluate the effects of a 12-week Guozhuang dance intervention on exercise self-efficacy, functional capacity, physical activity, and health-related quality of life in CHD patients following PCI.

88 post-PCI patients were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 44) or an intervention group (n = 44). Both groups received standard care; the control group participated in conventional rehabilitation, while the intervention group added Guozhuang dance. Outcomes measures were assessed at baseline(T0), at 4(T1) and 12(T2) weeks of intervention, and at 6 weeks after post-intervention (T3) using the Multidimensional Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale (MSES), Six-Minute walk distance (6MWD), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the Chinese Questionnaire of Quality of Life (CQQC). Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. The protocol was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300069341).

Both groups demonstrated comparable baseline characteristics (P > 0.05). Significant group × time interactions were found for exercise self-efficacy and 6MWT distance (both P < 0.001), while physical activity and quality of life showed significant main effects of group (both P < 0.05). The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in exercise self-efficacy, physical activity, and quality of life at T1, T2, and T3 (all P < 0.05). For 6MWD, significant between-group differences were observed at T2 and T3 (both P < 0.001), but not at T1 (P = 0.065 > 0.05).

A 12-week Guozhuang dance program significantly enhances exercise self-efficacy, functional capacity, physical activity, and quality of life in CHD patients after PCI, making it a valuable addition to traditional cardiac rehabilitation.

https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/home, identifier, ChiCTR2300069341.