Comprehensive assessment of the results of zorba dance-based rehabilitation in patients after myocardial infarction

Introduction Dance movement engages global muscle sequences of the human body, improves physical performance, and helps reduce stress and excessive muscle tension. Dance exercises allow you to better control your movement and muscles. Zorba Greek dancing as a form of physical activity brings benefits in the form of improved mental health, well-being and quality of life. Rehabilitation may contribute to improving cardiorespiratory fitness and mental condition in the group of patients after myocardial infarction. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to evaluate a rehabilitation program based on Zorba dance on selected clinical parameters in patients after myocardial infarction. Materials and methods The study included 99 patients after myocardial infarction who were rehabilitated for 5 weeks. Patients were enrolled into two groups. Group I (50 patients) performed cycle ergometer training and the Greek dance Zorba. Group II (49 patients) performed cycle ergometer training and rehabilitation exercises. At the beginning and after rehabilitation, patients' BMI, balance (scales: Tinetti, Berg, 30CST), gait (6MWT), psychophysical status (SF-36, WHO-5, FCIS), and breathlessness (mMRC scale) were assessed. Results After undergoing rehabilitation, there was a reduction in BMI (I vs. II p<0.01), improvement in balance on the Tinetti (I vs. II p<0.01) and Berg scale (I vs. II p<0.01), improvement in the 30CS test score (I vs. II p= 0.018), improvement in WHO-5 (I vs. II p< 0.01), and reduction in dyspnea (mMRC) (I vs. II p< 0.01) in the Zorba group. Conclusions Both methods of rehabilitation improve functional efficiency; However, rehabilitation with the use of Zorba dance additionally improves balance in patients after myocardial infarction.