The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Improving Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients

The effectiveness of CBT in heart failure patients

Background: Heart failure (HF) refers to an enduring disorder associated with a high prevalence of comorbid depression, which negatively impacts patients' quality of life (QoL). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in tackling psychological well-being has been well-documented, with positive outcomes observed in various populations. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CBT in reducing depressive symptoms and improving QoL among HF patients with comorbid depression.

Methods: Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial at the Nasiriyah Heart Center in Iraq. A total of 160 patients presenting with HF and comorbid depressive symptoms were randomly allocated to either a 12-week CBT intervention or a control group receiving usual care. To assess the patients' depressive symptoms and QoL, the investigators used the Arabic versions of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) at baseline and post-intervention. Mixed-model ANOVA and ANCOVA were employed for data analysis.

Results: The CBT group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms (F(1, 158) = 72.6, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.32) and improvements in QoL (F(1, 158) = 45.8, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.23) in comparison with the control group. The significance of the results was not diminished by adjusting for potential confounders (age, gender, and NYHA functional class) in the ANCOVA analyses.

Conclusion: CBT is an effective intervention for reducing depressive symptoms and improving QoL among HF patients with comorbid depression. Integrating psychological interventions, such as CBT, into the comprehensive care of HF patients may enhance
patient outcomes and reduce the healthcare burden associated with comorbid depression.