Table 1.
Main demographic and clinical characteristics of the study sample at baseline. Descriptive statistics are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD).
| Intervention Group G-Int (n = 17) |
Control Group G-Con (n = 17) |
Normative Control G-Nor (n = 15) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristics | |||
| Age at the baseline visit (in years) | 47.1 ± 8.3 | 48.7 ± 10.4 | 45.9 ± 11.8 |
| Sex ratio (M/F) | 0.3 (4/13) | 0.4 (5/12) | 0.5 (5/10) |
| ICU admission | 2/17 | 1/17 | 0/15 |
| Vascular factors | |||
| Systolic blood pressure, mm Hg | 123.8 ± 15.4 | 122.9 ± 11.8 | 124.6 ± 13.7 |
| Diastolic blood pressure, mm Hg | 75.8 ± 10.9 | 78 ± 9.7 | 73.3 ± 9.8 |
| Heart rate at rest | 72.6 ± 11.3 | 74.5 ± 16.1 | 67.5 ± 14.3 |
| Lifestyle factors | |||
| Severity of dyspnea (mMRC) | 1.5 ± 0.9 | 1.4 ± 0.7 | 0.2 ± 0.4 |
| Anxiety (HADS) | 10.8 ± 3.5 | 12.9 ± 3.2 | 4.0 ± 2.4 |
| Depression (HADS) | 11.9 ± 2.7 | 12.5 ± 4.3 | 2.0 ± 1.3 |
| Physical fatigue (CFQ) | 17.8 ± 2.2 | 18.4 ± 2.4 | 6.8 ± 1.4 |
| Mental fatigue (CFQ) | 10.4 ± 1.6 | 10.9 ± 1.5 | 4 ± 0.4 |
| Sleep quality (SSQ) | 15.1 ± 3.8 | 14.0 ± 3.8 | 20.5 ± 3.1 |
| Total Mood Disturbance (POMS-abbreviated) | 45.5 ± 22.8 | 58.9 ± 22 | −14.2 ± 11.3 |
ICU: Intensive Care Unit; mMRC: Modified Medical Research Council); HADS: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; CFQ: Chalder Fatigue Scale; SSQ: Spiegel Sleep Questionnaire; POMS: Profile Of Mood States.