Cognitive behavioural therapy targeting cardiac anxiety post-myocardial infarction: results from two sequential pilot studies.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Cardiac anxiety, which is cardiac-related fear and avoidance behaviours, is common following myocardial infarction (MI) and has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events. However, there are currently no treatments specifically designed to target cardiac anxiety. The aim of the two pilot studies was to evaluate an exposure-based cognitive behavioural therapy protocol (MI-CBT) targeting cardiac anxiety following MI, assessing feasibility, acceptability, and the intervention's potential for reducing cardiac anxiety and improving health-related quality of life (QoL).

Methods and results

A series of two sequential, uncontrolled pilot studies were conducted. In Pilot Study 1 (n = 15), MI-CBT was delivered via face-to-face videoconference, while Pilo

SUBMITTER: Johnsson A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11961357 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature