Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Following Myocardial Infarction

Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Following Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading cause s of health loss globally, representing a large proportion of general disability. Anxiety and depression occur in 20-30 percent of patients following MI and have been identified as risk factors for recurrent adverse cardiac event. The purpose of our this study is to develop and evaluate a disease specific cognitive behavioral therapy (C BT) protocol to reduce cardia anxiety, depression, increase physical inactivity and quality of life (Q oL) in patients following MI

The study will include 30 patients. The MI-specific CBT lasts for 8 weeks and is therapist guided and delivered via internet via a secure digital platform by licensed psychologists expertise in CBT for cardiac disease or final year psychologist under supervision. During treatment, the psychologists will have direct access to a cardiologist assigned to the project and treatments are conducted in close interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure patient safety

Inclusion Criteria:

( - )MI ≥ 6 months before assessment ( - )Age 18-75 years endorsed cardiac anxiety that leads to significant distress or interferes with daily life (Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ); score ≥20) ( - ) On optimal medical treatment ( - )Able to read and write in Swedish.

Exclusion Criteria:

( - ) heart failure with severe systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤ 35%) ( - ) significant valvular disease ( - ) planned coronary artery bypass surgery or other invasive therapy ( - ) other severe medical illness ( - )any medical restriction to physical exercise ( - )severe psychiatric disorder, severe depression, or risk of suicide ( - )alcohol dependency