P07 Grip strength assessment in cardiac rehab – practical applications and outcome data

<h3>Background</h3> Muscle strength/Grip strength (GS) is not routinely assessed as part of the Cardiac Rehab (CR) assessment. This is despite resistance training being recommended as part of CR exercise programs. The National Audit of Cardiac Rehab (NACR) records exercise test data and MET scores but do not include GS. A recent EPG study day presentation highlighted the opportunity for Frailty to be assessed during CR assessments, which included the assessment of GS. <h3>Aim</h3> To evaluate GS assessment data and its practical application. <h3>Methods</h3> Patient records across a 5-year period were reviewed to assess the GS data outcomes. Outcomes were recorded at baseline assessment (A1) and following an 8-week supervised exercise programme (A2). A total of 2030 individual records were reviewed. The CR program followed BACPR guidelines with resistance training offered at the appropriate point in relation to diagnosis. GS data was analysed for all patients with a recorded GS at both A1 and A2. Results were further evaluated in relation to the cut off points for Frailty assessment of &lt;16 kg for Females and &lt;27 kg for Males. T-Test was used to evaluate statistical significance. <h3>Results</h3> GS was measured pre and post CR in 976 patients. Average GS improved 9% from 28.6 kg (A1) to 31.2 kg (A2) (p&lt;0.0001) with a range of 4.9 kg to 63.9 kg over both assessments. 71% of patients had an improvement in GS upon completion. 75 females had a GS &lt;16 kg at A1, Average GS was 13.3 kg (A1) and improved 52% to 20.2 kg (A2) (p&lt;0.0001). 205 Males had a GS &lt;27 kg at A1, Average GS was 24.4 kg (A1) and improved 27% to 31 kg (A2) (p&lt;0.0001). 38 (51%) Females and 88 (43%) males moved above the Frailty threshold upon completion (table 1). <h3>Conclusion</h3> These findings highlight the importance of GS assessment in evaluating the effectiveness of the CR intervention. They also demonstrate that CR can play an important role in the identification and reduction of Frailty risk in those patients with low muscle strength.