This study aimed to develop a TES program to improve exercise capacity to promote patient compliance to the prescribed exercise, and to test the feasibility of the program.

The 8-week TES program consisted of three components : exercise training, self-efficacy enhancement and social support. Using the matching of gender, age, and the left ventricular ejection fraction, thirty one subjects were consecutively assigned to either TES group (n=15, 52+7 years) or Control group (n=16, 58+11 years) 3 weeks after MI. With the exception of exercise compliance (only after the TES program), the exercise capacity and exercise self-efficacy were both measured both before and after the 8-week TES program.

The VO₂peak (p= .043), anaerobic threshold (p= .023) and exercise duration (p= .015) improved in TES group compared to Control group after 8 weeks. The cardiac exercise self-efficacy (p= .036) was significantly higher in TES group than Control group. There was a significant increase of exercise compliance(p= .005) in TES group compared to Control group.

The 8-week TES program improved the exercise capacity, exercise self-efficacy and exercise compliance. A appropriately implemented TES program in cardiovascular nursing practice may promote healthy behavioral modification and, therefore, contributing to reduce the risk of mortality and morbidity in MI patients.