Effects of cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy on depression, anxiety and medication adherence in aged patients with coronary heart disease

Abstract

Objective To assess the effects of cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy on depression, anxiety and medication adherence in elderly patients with coronary heart disease. Methods Eighty patients from two communities in Qinghai province were randomly divided into intervention group (n=40) and control group (n=40). In addition to regular care for both groups, patients in the intervention group also received cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy.Depression, anxiety and medication adherence were measured with the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), respectively, at baseline, immediately after intervention, at 3 months after intervention, and at 6 months after intervention. Results The repeated-measures ANOVA showed that improvement in depression, anxiety and medication adherence before and after intervention in the intervention group was greater than in the control group (F=22.805, 48.058, 128.058, all P<0.05). Scores for depression and anxiety were lower and scores for medication adherence were higher (all P<0.05) in the intervention group than in the control group at all the time points after intervention. Conclusions Cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy can alleviate depression and anxiety, and improve medication adherence in elderly patients with coronary heart disease. Key words: Coronary disease; Depression; Anxiety; Medication adherence