Comparison of depression treatments for heart disease patients

A new study by researchers in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at Cedars-Sinai University shows that behavioral activation therapy is as effective as antidepressants in treating symptoms of depression in heart failure patients. ing.

Heart failure affects nearly 6 million adults in the United States, and approximately 50% of heart failure patients experience symptoms of depression along with their medical condition. Previous studies have shown that patients with heart failure and depression have lower cardiac function, more emergency department visits and hospitalizations, greater caregiver burden, and lower quality of life compared to heart failure patients without depression. It has been shown that

“The most important finding here is that patients suffering from depression have the option of therapy or pharmacotherapy when it comes to treatment,” said Associate Professor of Education and Research in Cedars’ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience. said Wagui W. Ishak, M.D., director. Sinai and first author of the study. “For patients who don’t want medication, behavioral activation therapy can achieve similar results.”

The research published in JAMA network open, followed more than 400 patients for one year. Half of the study participants received antidepressant medication to treat their depressive symptoms, and the other half received behavioral activation psychotherapy, a scientifically-based therapy that promotes participation in activities that patients find pleasurable. (based on depression treatment).

The researchers say there was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of the two methods, with each group of patients reducing the severity of depression symptoms by more than 50%.

Study participants randomly assigned to receive behavioral activation therapy will work with their therapist to engage in personalized activities that bring them joy and fulfillment, such as having lunch with a friend, going for a walk, volunteering, or listening to their favorite music. I have created an activity list. On a regularly scheduled basis. This treatment focused on increasing the level of fun and challenging activities that the patient had been engaging in each week over her 12 weeks and incorporating them into her regular activity schedule.

Patients who received the psychotherapeutic intervention showed modest improvements in quality of life related to physical and mental health, which was a secondary outcome monitored in the study. They also had fewer emergency department visits and shorter hospital stays during the study compared to patients randomly assigned to receive antidepressants.

“This study, conducted in a real-world setting, shows that integrating psychiatric treatment into professional medical care is entirely feasible. Integrating psychiatric treatment into medical care reduces stigma and “It’s an effective way to increase access and improve treatment outcomes for people who suffer from mental health issues along with chronic medical conditions,” said Dean of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience and research co-author. said author Itai Danovic, MD, MBA.

“Most people who suffer from depression do not receive effective treatment. It is important to strengthen screening for mental illness and ensure patients receive quality and effective mental health care.” .”