Effects of mindfulness-based intervention combined with aerobic training on Kinesiophobia and heart rate variability after percutaneous coronary intervention: a randomized controlled trial.
Qifang Mi, Liangmei Jiang, Min Leng, Haifeng Fan
Journal of cardiothoracic surgery June 8, 2026 DOI: 10.1186/s13019-026-04380-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Post-percutaneous coronary intervention patients with coronary heart disease |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based intervention Aerobic training |
| Measures | Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-Heart (TSK-SV Heart), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), 6-minute walk test, peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold oxygen uptake |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Coronary disease Treatment outcome Exercise therapy Exercise tolerance Middle aged Female Percutaneous coronary intervention Kinesiophobia Heart rate variability Coronary heart disease Psychological stress Treatment adherence Aerobic training Mindfulness-based stress reduction |
| Key findings | Adding a mindfulness-based intervention to aerobic training improved treatment adherence, heart rate variability, and exercise tolerance, and reduced kinesiophobia, anxiety, and depression scores more than aerobic training alone in post-PCI patients, with all comparisons at p < 0.001. The authors conclude the combined strategy may provide additional benefits beyond conventional aerobic rehabilitation. |
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) combined with aerobic training on treatment adherence, kinesiophobia (an excessive fear of movement), heart rate variability (HRV), exercise tolerance, and psychological stress response in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Methods: Post-PCI patients (n = 150) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (receiving combined MBI and aerobic training) and a control group (receiving aerobic training only). Treatment adherence, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-Heart (TSK-SV Heart), HRV parameters, exercise tolerance, and psychological stress responses were assessed before and after the intervention. Psychological assessments included the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Repeated-measures mixed analysis of variance was used to evaluate changes in outcomes between groups and across time points.
Results: A total of 150 post-PCI patients were enrolled, including 97 males and 53 females, with a mean age of 50.79 ± 6.83 years. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). After the intervention, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group in treatment adherence, HRV indices (standard deviation of all normal-to-normal RR intervals, standard deviation of the average normal-to-normal RR intervals in all 5-minute segments, and percentage of successive normal-to-normal RR intervals that differ by more than 50 milliseconds), exercise tolerance (6-minute walk test, peak oxygen uptake, and anaerobic threshold oxygen uptake), as well as reductions in kinesiophobia scores, anxiety and depression scores (SAS, SDS) (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: An adapted MBI combined with aerobic training can significantly improve treatment adherence and exercise tolerance, while reducing kinesiophobia and psychological stress in post-PCI patients. This combined rehabilitation strategy may provide additional benefits beyond conventional aerobic rehabilitation alone.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Effect of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction in patients with acute myocardial infarction after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a retrospective study. BMC cardiovascular disorders June 23, 2023
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research July 1, 2004