Assessment of the Relationship between Therapeutic Alliance and Pulmonary Function Recovery in Cardiac Surgery Patients Undergoing Physical Therapy

Abstract

Objective of the study was to assess the relationship between the indicators of therapeutic alliance and pulmonary function recovery in patients undergoing physical therapy after cardiac surgery (СS). 80 patients, who were submitted to СS (performed by median sternotomy on cardiopulmonary bypass) and standardized physical therapy program thereafter. Therapeutic alliance was assessed with the help of Working Alliance Inventory (SF Hatcher Client form) questionnaire. The questions were split into three domains: "goal items", "task items" and "bond items". The questionnaire was filled in on the 7th postoperative day (POD). Pulmonary function test was done before the surgery and on the 7th POD. The results of assessment confirmed a rather high level of therapeutic alliance between cardiac surgery patients and their physical therapists. Lung volumes and flow rates were worse after surgery. According to the analysis of correlation relationships between “task items” indicators and FVC, FIVC, FIV1 reduction rates, patients with less reduction of these volumeshad better “task items” results. According to the analysis of correlation relationships between a number of pulmonary function test indicators on the 7th POD and “goal items”, “task items”, totalquestionnaire score,patients with higher postoperative pulmonary function values had better therapeutic alliance. The obtained correlation relationships were significant, but weak or very weak. The results confirmed the relationships between postoperative pulmonary function values, their dynamic and therapeutic alliance.