Effectiveness of a Structured Nurse-Led Cardiac Rehabilitation Education Programme on Knowledge Regarding Coronary Artery Disease among Patients Attending Selected Hospitals of Dahod District: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Patient education and cardiac rehabilitation are essential components of secondary prevention that help
reduce disease progression and improve quality of life. Nurses play a significant role in educating
patients regarding risk-factor modification, medication adherence, dietary management, and lifestyle
changes. Before implementing a large-scale study, it is important to evaluate the feasibility and
effectiveness of the intervention through a pilot study.
Objectives
To assess the effectiveness of a structured nurse-led cardiac rehabilitation education programme on
knowledge regarding coronary artery disease among patients attending selected hospitals in Dahod
District.
Methodology
A quantitative evaluative approach using a pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was
adopted. Thirty coronary artery disease patients were selected through purposive sampling. Data were
collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire. Following the pre-test assessment, a nurse-led
cardiac rehabilitation education programme was administered. A post-test was conducted after seven
days. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.
Results
The pre-test findings revealed that 56.7% of participants had poor knowledge and 43.3% had average
knowledge regarding cardiac rehabilitation. Following the intervention, 73.3% demonstrated good
knowledge and 26.7% showed average knowledge. The calculated paired t-test value indicated a
statistically significant improvement in knowledge scores (p<0.05), confirming the effectiveness of the
programme.
Conclusion
The pilot study demonstrated that the nurse-led cardiac rehabilitation education programme effectively
improved patients’ knowledge regarding coronary artery disease and cardiac rehabilitation. The findings
supported the feasibility of conducting the main study on a larger sample.