ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate and summarize the best evidence of exercise instructions for patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods:A comprehensive search about evidence on exercise rehabilitation in patients with atrial fibrillation was conducted in following databases: Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Library, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), National Institute for Health and Clinic Excellence (NICE), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), Registered Nurses′ Association of Ontario (RNAO), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), American College of Physicians (ACP), Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Medlive, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Database, VIP Database, and China Biology Medicine (CBM). The retrieval period was from the inception of databases to January 2021. Two researchers with evidence-based nursing background assessed the quality of the literature independently and identified the level of evidence.Results:A total of 16 articles were included, including 4 guidelines, 4 systematic reviews, 4 expert consensuses, 4 randomized controlled trials. Combined with professional judgment, 35 pieces of best evidence in 7 aspects were summarized, including exercise benefits, the appropriate crowd, exercise evaluation, exercise mode, exercise intensity, exercise time, exercise supervision and safety.Conclusions:Regular exercise is safe and beneficial for patients with atrial fibrillation. Clinical staff should guide patients to exercise moderately by applying the best evidence with scientific exercise intervention, promoting patients′ physical and mental health.