Effectiveness of an online/offline mixed-mode Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program on microcirculation in patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE: We explored the effectiveness of an online/offline mixed-mode Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program on the microcirculation of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized controlled study. SETTING: It was conducted in a tertiary hospital. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six patients who met the diagnostic criteria for coronary artery disease were recruited. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized divided into a 12-week Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program(TCCRP) or a conventional exercise rehabilitation program(CERP) in a 1:1 fashion, 4 weeks of in-hospital rehabilitation and 8 weeks of online rehabilitation at home (a total of 12 weeks of intervention). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nailfold microcirculation (Morphological integrals, Blood flow integrals, Periphery capillary loop integrals, Overall integrals). RESULTS: Twenty patients completed the study. The Morphological integrals (baseline: 2.875 +/- 1.171 vs 12weeks: 1.863 +/- 0.414, t = 2.432, P = 0.045 < 0.05) and Overall integrals (baseline: 5.563 +/- 2.001 vs 12weeks: 3.688 +/- 1.167, t = 3.358, P = 0.012 < 0.05) decreased significantly in the TCCRP, The nailfold microcirculation integra decreased not significantly in the CERP (P > 0.05). The nailfold microcirculation integra was not significantly different between the two groups after the intervention (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The TCCRP improved the microcirculation of patients with CAD.