Comparative Effects of Elliptical Exercises and Swiss Ball Aerobics Exercises in Post CABG Patients

May 5, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Comparative Effects Of Elliptical Exercises And Swiss Ball Aerobics Exercises On Functional Capacity, Heart Rate, Dyspnea , And Quality Of Life In Post CABG Patients

This randomized controlled trial will compare the effectiveness of elliptical exercise training and Swiss ball exercise therapy in post-CABG patients. A total of 32 participants will be recruited through convenient sampling and randomly allocated into two groups (16 each). Group A will receive supervised elliptical exercise training, while Group B will perform Swiss ball exercises, with sessions conducted three times per week for 6-8 weeks. Outcomes including functional exercise capacity (Six-Minute Walk Test), resting heart rate (pulse oximetry), dyspnea (Modified Borg Scale), and quality of life (SF-36) will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Data will be analyzed using SPSS to determine the more effective rehabilitation approach for improving recovery after CABG.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a widely performed surgical intervention aimed at restoring adequate myocardial perfusion in patients with severe coronary artery disease. Despite its benefits, patients often experience persistent limitations in functional capacity, elevated resting heart rate, and dyspnea, during the postoperative period. Effective rehabilitation strategies are essential to facilitate recovery and enhance quality of life in this population.

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of two rehabilitation approaches elliptical exercise training and Swiss ball exercise therapy on key clinical and psychological outcomes in post-CABG patients. Patient of post CABG will be selected by convenient sampling technique 32 Participants will be randomly assigned to either group 16 in each group. Group A will be treated by elliptical exercises and B will be treated with Swiss ball exercises and will engage in supervised exercise sessions three times a week for 6 to 8 weeks. Outcomes including functional exercise capacity (measured via the six-minute walk test), resting heart rate (pulse ox), dyspnea (Modified Borg Scale), and quality of life (SF-36) will be evaluated before and after the intervention.

Data will be analyzed using statistical package for social sciences spss. By comparing these two approaches, this research aims to determine which exercise method is more effective in improving both physical parameters and quality of life in post-CABG patients. The results could help improve rehabilitation programs and support faster, more complete recoveries for heart surgery patients.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

32

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
        • Riphah International University
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Khadija Nawaz, MsPT(CPPT)

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

INCLUSION CRITERIA

  • Adult patients aged 40 to 60 years who have undergone elective or scheduled coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.
  • Post-operative duration between 2 to 6 weeks, medically cleared to begin rehabilitation exercises.
  • Hemodynamically stable (normal vital signs, no signs of acute cardiac distress).
  • Willing and able to participate in a supervised rehabilitation program.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

  • Patients with unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction (<2 weeks), or uncontrolled arrhythmias.
  • Patients with severe valvular heart disease or left ventricular ejection fraction <30%.
  • Individuals with neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease, stroke) that impair mobility or coordination.
  • Patients with severe musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., joint replacement, severe arthritis, recent fractures).
  • Cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia, significant memory loss) that prevents understanding or following instructions.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A
Group A will be recieving elliptical exercise (Steady state moderate intensity protocol on elliptical trainer, interval elliptical training)
Other: elliptical exercises
Participants allocated to the this group will undergo a structured aerobic training program using an elliptical trainer. The exercise prescription will adhere to the FITT framework as follows: frequency of five sessions per week, moderate intensity (targeting approximately 50-70% of heart rate reserve or corresponding Rating of Perceived Exertion of 12-14 on the Borg scale), and duration of 30 minutes per session. Each session will be supervised and will include appropriate warm-up and cool-down periods according to standard cardiac rehabilitation protocols. The intervention will be delivered consistently throughout the study period using an elliptical exercise modality.
Active Comparator: Group B
Group B will be recieving swiss ball exercises (Seated arm raises with light weights and bands, seated torso rotation,seated bouncing,arm circles and punches while sitting,diaphragmatic breathing with ball hug, wall squat with swiss ball support).
Other: swiss ball exercises
Participants allocated to this group will receive a structured exercise program using Swiss ball-based training. The intervention will follow the FITT principle as follows: frequency of five sessions per week, moderate intensity (corresponding to a Rating of Perceived Exertion of 12-14 on the Borg scale), and duration of 30 minutes per session. The exercise type will consist of flexibility and breathing exercises performed with the Swiss ball. Each session will be supervised and will include standardized warm-up and cool-down components in accordance with established rehabilitation protocols. The intervention will be delivered consistently throughout the study period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
functional capacity
Time Frame: pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a practical and widely used assessment tool to measure exercise capacity and functional status in individuals with various health conditions. To perform the test, a flat, straight corridor with a measured distance is required. The individual is instructed to walk at their own pace, aiming to cover as much distance as possible within the 6-minute time frame. They can slow down, stop, or rest if needed, but the timer continues to run. The test administrator records the total distance walked, as well as any symptoms, such as shortness of breath or fatigue. The 6MWT is a valuable tool for assessing exercise capacity improvement, as it reflects an individual's ability to perform daily activities and can be used to monitor changes in functional status over time or in response to interventions, such as exercise training or rehabilitation programs. By tracking changes in distance walked, healthcare providers can evaluate the effectiveness of treatment plan.
pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week
Heart rate
Time Frame: pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week.
A pulse oximeter, often referred to as a pulse ox, is a small, non-invasive medical device that clips onto a fingertip, toe, or earlobe to measure two critical health metrics: oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate. Oxygen saturation indicates the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that is carrying oxygen, while heart rate measures the number of heart beats per minute (bpm). To use a pulse oximeter for measuring heart rate, simply place the device on the chosen site, ensuring a snug fit, and turn it on. After a few seconds, the device will display both your oxygen saturation level and heart rate. It's essential to remain still during measurement to ensure accuracy, as movement can interfere with the readings. A pulse oximeter is a valuable tool for monitoring heart rate, especially for individuals with heart conditions, respiratory issues, or those engaging in high-altitude activities. By providing quick and reliable readings, it helps users track their heart rate in real-time.
pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week.
Dyspnoea
Time Frame: pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week
The Modified Borg Scale is a widely used tool to assess the severity of dyspnea (shortness of breath) in patients. It is a simple, self-reported scale that asks patients to rate the intensity of their breathlessness from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating "no breathlessness" and 10 indicating "maximal breathlessness." To use the Modified Borg Scale, patients are asked to select a number that corresponds to the severity of their dyspnea, with descriptors provided for each level of severity, such as "slight" (1-2), "moderate" (3-4), "severe" (5-6), and "very severe" (7-10). This scale helps healthcare providers quantify the impact of dyspnea on patients' daily lives and monitor changes in symptoms over time or in response to treatment. By regularly assessing dyspnea using the Modified Borg Scale, healthcare providers can tailor interventions to meet individual patient needs, evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, and improve patient outcomes.
pretreatment, 4th week, 8th week
Quality of life in post-CABG patients
Time Frame: pretreatment, 4th week , 8th week
The Short Form 36 (SF-36) is a widely used, multi-dimensional health survey that measures eight domains of health status: physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional functioning, and mental health. It is a self-reported questionnaire that assesses an individual's perceived health and well-being over a specific period, typically the past four weeks. The SF-36 is used in various settings, including clinical trials, health services research, and individual patient assessments, to evaluate the impact of diseases, treatments, and interventions on quality of life. To use the SF-36, patients are asked to complete the questionnaire, which consists of 36 items. The results provide a comprehensive profile of the patient's health status, allowing healthcare providers to identify areas of strength and weakness, monitor changes over time, and make informed decisions about care. The SF-36's scores can also be used to compare the health status of differ
pretreatment, 4th week , 8th week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Wajeeha Zia, phd, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

May 10, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 20, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 20, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 5, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 5, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 11, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 5, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Khadija Nawaz

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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