Un nuovo test (VITTORIO Test) per la valutazione dell’efficienza fisica in soggetti ammessi a programmi di riabilitazione dopo intervento di chirurgia cardiaca

A new test (VITTORIO Test) for functional
fitness assessment in rehabilitation after cardiac surgery. G.
Calsamiglia, F. Camera, A. Mazza, P. Villa, F. Gigli Berzolari,
R. Tramarin, F. Cobelli.
An adequate assessment of physical function (PF) in
Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) plays a central role in early detection
of physical limitations. Traditionally exercise tolerance
has been used as an indicator of overall PF. However
exercise tolerance has been shown to poorly predict patients’
ability to perform daily-life activities.
The goal of the present study is to evaluate a new test,
named VITTORIO TEST, for assessing various component
of daily activities among patients in CR after cardiac surgery.
VITTORIO test consists in 8 items that assess lower
and upper extremity strength and flexibility, agility, dynamic
balance, aerobic capacity.
500 patients (359 males; 141 females) admitted to CR
programs following cardiac surgery (349 coronary artery
bypass surgery; 151 valvular surgery) were enrolled in the
study. They were evaluated with an initial test (T1) (10.7±6.3
days after cardiac surgery) and a final test (T2) after a inhospital
intensive training program (mean length 16.8 ± 6.6
days) consisting in stretching, large muscle group and aerobic
activity, resistance exercises.
Statistical analysis showed a significant improvement of
all items at the end of the rehabilitation program. Old patients
(>70 years) and particularly females demonstrate exercise improvement
comparable to that of younger subjects especially
regards lower extremity strength and aerobic capacity.
VITTORIO test is inexpensive, simple and easy to perform
by the patient. Through the identification and the measurement
of different aspects of physical disability, it allows
a personalized rehabilitation exercise program. It could be
used as an outcome measure of CR programs.