Results of a new scale for the assessment of exercise intensity in cardiac rehabilitation programs

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The intensity of exercise that patients perceive is difficult to measure objectively. In most Cardiac Rehabilitation Units (CRH) they use the Borg scale to try to objectify the intensity of the exercise session perceived by the patients. However, in most cases, patients find it difficult to qualify the intensity with a numerical value, and the values they provide are not usually high. Purpose To make a new scale to assess whether it could be more adapted to the intensity perceived by the patients. Methods The CRH team of the Gomez Ulla Central Defense Hospital developed a new scale (image 1) and it was used in a random sample of 26 patients, performing a descriptive analysis of the scores obtained in the initial training session, session 6, session 12, session 18, session 24 and final session. These results were compared with another group of 27 people who had completed the cardiac rehabilitation program and in which the modified Borg scale had been used. Results A total of 53 patients were included and they were subdivided into two groups, one group with 26 patients in which the new scale was used and another with 27 patients who used the modified Borg scale. The mean age in both groups was similar, 65 ± 10 in the first group and 64 ± 10 in the second, as was the percentage of the males (70% and 68%, respectively). In 73.5% of the cases, ischemic heart disease was the main reason for inclusion. In both cases, the initial METS in ergometry (7.5 ± 2.5 in the first group and 6.3 ± 1.9 in the second) and the final METS (8.9 ± 3 and 8.4 ± 2.5, respectively) were similar. However, the exercise intensity assessment scores offered by the group of patients with the new scale in sessions 6, 12, 18, 24 and final, were significantly higher (image 2). Conclusions In cardiac rehabilitation, the intensity of exercise perceived by the patients is an important assessment to evaluate the quality of physical training. Providing patients with scales that are easier to understand and use helps us in the training planning and in their self-knowledge. With the elaboration of this scale we try to help them identify the intensity in a more objective way. Proposed new scale. Baseline clinical characteristics.