Women's hearts--stress management for women with ischemic heart disease: explanatory analyses of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose: This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects on psychosocial variables of a 1-year group-based cognitive-behavioral stress management program developed specifically for women with ischemic heart disease.

Methods: The present explanatory (per protocol) analyses include 80 women who were randomized to a 1-year cognitive-behavioral stress management program and 86 who were randomized to usual care (age = 35-77 years). Data were obtained before randomization and after 1 year, when the intervention group had completed the program.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and usual care groups in the psychosocial endpoints at randomization. Both groups improved in all psychosocial variables during the 1-year study period, but the rate of improvement was significantly greater in the intervention group for self-rated stress behavior (P = .006) and vital exhaustion (P = .03). Although changes were in favor of the treatment group also for depressive mood and quality of life, the rates of improvement between the 2 groups did not reach statistical significance (P = .23 and P = .10, respectively).

Conclusion: A 1-year cognitive-behavioral stress management program designed specifically for women improved psychological well-being in some aspects in comparison with usual care.