Study Evaluating Myofascial Release Added to Routine Physical Therapy for Adults After Median Sternotomy Heart Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of adding myofascial release therapy to routine physical therapy for adults who have undergone median sternotomy heart surgery due to conditions such as coronary artery disease, valve heart disease, or aortic disease. The study aims to evaluate how this combined treatment may impact respiratory muscle strength and lung function after surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either routine physical therapy alone or routine therapy plus myofascial release sessions. Participants in the intervention group will receive seven daily sessions of myofascial release therapy, each lasting about 15 minutes, in addition to routine physical therapy that includes out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry training, and functional exercises. The myofascial release involves a therapist applying gentle hand placements on specific chest and diaphragm areas while the participant takes slow, deep breaths directed towards the therapists hands. The control group will receive only the routine physical therapy without the myofascial release. Participants will undergo assessments before surgery, within five days after transferring from the ICU to the general ward, and after completing the seven myofascial release sessions or the equivalent period in the control group. Assessments include measurements of maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures, pulmonary function tests such as forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume, chest wall mobility, muscle activity via surface electromyography, and pain scores. These evaluations help researchers understand the treatments impact on respiratory and muscular function during the recovery period.

Effects of Myofascial Release on Cardiac Patients After Median Sternotomy