PURPOSE: The evaluation of the impact of soft tissue manual therapy with a myofascial release on pulmonary function, postoperative pain, fatigue, breathing difficulties and physical fitness, in patients during the early postoperative period after coronary artery bypass grafting and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 80 subjects (59 males) with an average age of 64.13 years old. They were randomised into two groups: group I (n = 40) received a conventional form of rehabilitation and group II (n = 40) additionally, from day 3 to day 6 post-surgery, was provided the Carol Manheim form of myofascial release. Subjects were evaluated three times: before the surgery, on day 4 and 6 post-surgery. Using the visual analogue scale, the following symptoms were measured: pain intensity, breathing difficulties and level of physical endurance. Fatigue after performing physical exercises was measured using the Borg scale. Spirometry was used to measure the one-second forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity. RESULTS: Positive changes were observed in both groups with regard to all analysed variables. However, group II compared to group I showed a significantly greater improvement (p < 0.05; the Mann-Whitney U test) in relation to: pain intensity on day 4 (mean 5.46 versus 6.58) and on day 6 (mean 3.05 versus 5.35) after the surgery; lower breathing difficulties on day 6 post-surgery (mean 4.08 versus 5.63); limiting physical fitness on day 6 post-surgery (mean 6.35 versus 5.13). Between the condition prior to the surgery and day 6 post-surgery in group II compared to group I, there was a significantly smaller (p < 0.05; Student's t-test) decrease in one-second forced expiratory volume (mean -0.65 versus -0.9 L/s) and the volume of forced vital capacity (mean -0.63 versus -1.33 L). Between day 4 and 6 post-surgery in group II compared to group I, there was a significantly higher (p < 0.05; Student's t-test) increase in the one-second forced expiratory volume (mean 0.21 versus 0.11 L/s) and forced vital capacity (mean 0.32 versus 0.12 L). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing myofascial release techniques in the conventional form of cardiosurgical rehabilitation might enhance the improvement in pulmonary function, lessen breathing difficulties, pain intensity and fatigue, it might augment the increase in physical endurance among patients during the early postoperative period after coronary artery bypass grafting and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

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