Volume 4,Issue 3
The Application of Traditional Chinese Health-Preserving Exercises in Postoperative Rehabilitation After Cardiovascular Surgery: Theoretical Logic, Mechanisms of Action, and Research Agenda
Postoperative rehabilitation after cardiovascular surgery faces multiple barriers, including decline in physiological function, kinesiophobia, and low exercise adherence. Among the traditional Chinese health-preserving exercises—such as Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, and Liuzijue—there is an established triad of features labeled “body regulation–breath regulation–mind regulation,” which seems to offer special benefits for cardiovascular rehabilitation. The present article gives a coherent account of both the theory and the practical mechanisms of such exercises as they pertain to postoperative care of the cardiovascular system. From a physiological standpoint, Tai Chi can greatly lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and Baduanjin is of value for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). In terms of neural function, traditional Chinese health-preserving exercises seem to help remodel the brain—by means of increased functional coupling of the prefrontal cortex–amygdala complex or of the default mode network (DMN). With regard to psychological aspects, their mindful attention component may help to achieve fear extinction and relieve kinesiophobia. The prevalence of postoperative kinesiophobia following cardiovascular surgery is as high as 39.20%–82.57%, making it a basic bottleneck for rehabilitation. With this in mind, this article proposes a theoretical pathway of “brain functional remodeling as a factor in kinesiophobia → better long-term prognosis (in general)” and recommends advancing progress along four lines—specifically, theoretical model construction, multimodal neuroimaging mechanism validation, well-organized randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and guideline translation- this being a theoretical justification for the kind of standardized treatment—using traditional Chinese health-preserving exercises—for postoperative rehabilitation following cardiovascular surgery.
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