Efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy following an acute coronary event: A randomized controlled trial
Depression and anxiety are common among people who have experienced an acute coronary event (e.g., heart attack). Multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation programs often focus on reducing risk factors associated with future cardiac events, however, mental health interventions are not routinely avail...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Internet Interventions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782920300129 |
| _version_ | 1818790543105196032 |
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| author | L.H. Schneider H.D. Hadjistavropoulos B.F. Dear N. Titov |
| author_facet | L.H. Schneider H.D. Hadjistavropoulos B.F. Dear N. Titov |
| author_sort | L.H. Schneider |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Depression and anxiety are common among people who have experienced an acute coronary event (e.g., heart attack). Multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation programs often focus on reducing risk factors associated with future cardiac events, however, mental health interventions are not routinely available. Given known difficulties with access to mental health treatment, the present study sought to explore the efficacy and acceptability of an Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy program (Cardiac Wellbeing Course) among participants who experienced an acute coronary event. The five-lesson course was delivered over eight weeks and was provided with brief weekly contact, via telephone and secure email with a guide. Participants were randomized to the Cardiac Wellbeing Course (n = 25) or waiting-list control group (n = 28). Symptoms were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and four-week follow-up. Completion rates (84%) and satisfaction ratings (95%) were high. Statistically significant between-group improvements were observed for the treatment group on primary measures of general anxiety (Cohen's d = 1.62; 67% reduction), depression (Cohen's d = 1.09; 61% reduction), and physical activity levels (Cohen's d = 0.27; 70% increase). Statistically significant improvements were also observed on secondary measures of distress (Cohen's d = 0.98; 51% reduction), cardiac anxiety (Cohen's d = 0.92; 34% reduction), and mental-health quality of life (Cohen's d = 0.23; 24% improvement). The changes were maintained at four-week follow-up. The current findings add to the existing literature and highlight the potential of Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy programs among participants who have experienced an acute coronary event. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T14:57:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-531390eebec64a1c8d1fedfa6b69f3ea |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-7829 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T14:57:07Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Internet Interventions |
| spelling | doaj.art-531390eebec64a1c8d1fedfa6b69f3ea2022-12-21T21:04:02ZengElsevierInternet Interventions2214-78292020-09-0121100324Efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy following an acute coronary event: A randomized controlled trialL.H. Schneider0H.D. Hadjistavropoulos1B.F. Dear2N. Titov33737 Wascana Parkway, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada3737 Wascana Parkway, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada; Corresponding author.eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW 2109, AustraliaeCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; MindSpot Clinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW 2109, AustraliaDepression and anxiety are common among people who have experienced an acute coronary event (e.g., heart attack). Multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation programs often focus on reducing risk factors associated with future cardiac events, however, mental health interventions are not routinely available. Given known difficulties with access to mental health treatment, the present study sought to explore the efficacy and acceptability of an Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy program (Cardiac Wellbeing Course) among participants who experienced an acute coronary event. The five-lesson course was delivered over eight weeks and was provided with brief weekly contact, via telephone and secure email with a guide. Participants were randomized to the Cardiac Wellbeing Course (n = 25) or waiting-list control group (n = 28). Symptoms were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and four-week follow-up. Completion rates (84%) and satisfaction ratings (95%) were high. Statistically significant between-group improvements were observed for the treatment group on primary measures of general anxiety (Cohen's d = 1.62; 67% reduction), depression (Cohen's d = 1.09; 61% reduction), and physical activity levels (Cohen's d = 0.27; 70% increase). Statistically significant improvements were also observed on secondary measures of distress (Cohen's d = 0.98; 51% reduction), cardiac anxiety (Cohen's d = 0.92; 34% reduction), and mental-health quality of life (Cohen's d = 0.23; 24% improvement). The changes were maintained at four-week follow-up. The current findings add to the existing literature and highlight the potential of Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy programs among participants who have experienced an acute coronary event.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782920300129DepressionAnxietyInternet-deliveredCognitive behaviour therapyTransdiagnosticCardiac |
| spellingShingle | L.H. Schneider H.D. Hadjistavropoulos B.F. Dear N. Titov Efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy following an acute coronary event: A randomized controlled trial Internet Interventions Depression Anxiety Internet-delivered Cognitive behaviour therapy Transdiagnostic Cardiac |
| title | Efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy following an acute coronary event: A randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy following an acute coronary event: A randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy following an acute coronary event: A randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy following an acute coronary event: A randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy following an acute coronary event: A randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | efficacy of internet delivered cognitive behavioural therapy following an acute coronary event a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | Depression Anxiety Internet-delivered Cognitive behaviour therapy Transdiagnostic Cardiac |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782920300129 |
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