The ACTonHEART Study: Design of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Cardiac Patients

The ACTonHEART Study: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Cardiac Patients

The study will determine whether a brief intervention program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be effective for the reduction of modifiable risk factors and improvement of psychological well-being in patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation

The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a mindfulness-based intervention which efficacy has been proven in the treatment of depression and anxiety, in stress reduction and in the modification of health- related behaviors in patients with several physical conditions. The application of an acceptance-based program in cardiac patients has revealed high treatment satisfaction and initial evidences of effectiveness in increasing heart-healthy behaviour.

The purpose of the trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a brief group-administered program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in improving patients' ability to address modifiable multiple cardiovascular risk factors and overall psychological well-being, compared with the usual care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• having a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD)
• being affected by major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors that will be assessed through the INTERHEART Modifiable Risk Score.

Only subjects with a full score >9 will be included in the study.

• between the ages of 18 and 70 years
• fluency in spoken and written Italian language
• expression of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• cognitive impairment
• severe psychiatric disorders according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV TR criteria (APA, 2000).