Exercise plus psychological counseling may benefit depressed heart failure patients

A physical function test, the six-minute walk test, was administered at each of the time intervals.

“The cognitive behavioral therapy was geared toward changing the attitude of the patients about their illness,” Gary said. “We wanted them to change their negative thoughts and beliefs and restructure and reformat how they think about their illness and limitations. For example, we developed a volunteer and activities sign-up sheet in each community that provided transportation for those who wanted to get out of the home or contribute in some way.”

Cognitive therapy sessions were conducted, one-on-one in the home, once a week, for 12 weeks by psychiatric nurse specialists and Ph.D. students trained in counseling techniques.

Patients in the combined exercise and behavioral therapy group improved significantly better in the six-minute walk test than the other groups.

The combined group lowered depression symptoms by 10 points over the usual care group. A decrease in scores of 50 percent or more or a HAM-D score of less than 8 indicates remission of depression symptoms. Interestingly, although depressive symptoms were also reduced in the counseling-only group, they perceived their quality of life to be worse than the combined group or exercise group. The combined group lowered depression symptoms by 10 points over the usual care group.

Co-authors are: S. Dunbar, D.S.N.; E. Cress, Ph.D.; and G. Cotsonsis, Ph.D.

The study received funding from the American Heart Association “Beginning Grant in Aid” program from the association’s Southeast Affiliate.

Editor’s Note: The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has a national movement, Start!, that encourages all Americans to incorporate walking into their lives. The hub of the Start! movement is MyStart! Online, a free, Web-based fitness and nutrition tracker that offers constant, measurable, personal improvement. Available at americanheart.org/start.

Statements and conclusions of abstract authors presented at American Heart Association/American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the abstract authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.

NR08-1052 (QCOR 08/Gary)