Effects of Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy adapted for patients with cardiovascular disease and depression: a long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial at 6 and 12 months posttreatment

• Published in: European journal of cardiovascular nursing : journal of the Working Group on Cardiovascular Nursing of the European Society of Cardiology 2022-08, Vol.21 (6), p.559-567
• Main Authors: Westas, Mats, Lundgren, Johan, Andersson, Gerhard, Mourad, Ghassan, Johansson, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cardiovascular disease; Cognitive behavioural therapy; Depression; Follow-up study; Internet treatment; Medicin och hälsovetenskap
• ISSN: 1474-5151; 1873-1953; 1873-1953
• DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvab131

Internet-based cognitive behavioural treatment (iCBT) has shown positive short-term effects on depression in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, knowledge regarding long-term effects and factors that may impact the effect of iCBT is lacking. This study therefore sought (i) to evaluate the effect of iCBT on depression in CVD patients at 6- and 12-month follow-ups and (ii) to explore factors that might impact on the effect of iCBT on change in depression at 12-month follow-up. A longitudinal follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a 9-week iCBT programme compared to an online discussion forum (ODF) on depression in CVD patients (n = 144). After 9 weeks, those in the ODF group were offered the chance to take part in the iCBT programme. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale-self-rated version (MADRS-S) measured depression at baseline, 9 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Linear mixed model and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical computing. The iCBT programme significantly improved depression at 9-week follow-up and this was stable at 6- and 12-month follow-ups (PHQ-9 P = 0.001, MADRS-S P = 0.001). Higher levels of depression at baseline and a diagnosis of heart failure were factors found to impact the effect of iCBT on the change in depression. A 9-week iCBT programme in CVD patients led to long-term improvement in depression. Higher levels of depression scores at baseline were associated with improvement in depression, whereas heart failure had opposite effect. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02778074.