Improving mental well-being in psychocardiology

a feasibility trial for a non-blended web application as a brief metacognitive-based intervention in cardiovascular disease patients

authored by

Katharina Larionov, Ekaterina Petrova, Nurefsan Demirbuga, Oliver Werth, Michael H. Breitner, Philippa Gebhardt, Flora Caldarone, David Duncker, Mechthild Westhoff-Bleck, Anja Sensenhauser, Nadine Maxrath, Michael Marschollek, Kai G. Kahl, Ivo Heitland

Abstract

Background: Many patients with cardiovascular disease also show a high comorbidity of mental disorders, especially such as anxiety and depression. This is, in turn, associated with a decrease in the quality of life. Psychocardiological treatment options are currently limited. Hence, there is a need for novel and accessible psychological help. Recently, we demonstrated that a brief face-to-face metacognitive therapy (MCT) based intervention is promising in treating anxiety and depression. Here, we aim to translate the face-to-face approach into digital application and explore the feasibility of this approach. Methods: We translated a validated brief psychocardiological intervention into a novel non-blended web app. The data of 18 patients suffering from various cardiac conditions but without diagnosed mental illness were analyzed after using the web app over a two-week period in a feasibility trial. The aim was whether a non-blended web app based MCT approach is feasible in the group of cardiovascular patients with cardiovascular disease. Results: Overall, patients were able to use the web app and rated it as satisfactory and beneficial. In addition, there was first indication that using the app improved the cardiac patients’ subjectively perceived health and reduced their anxiety. Therefore, the approach seems feasible for a future randomized controlled trial. Conclusion: Applying a metacognitive-based brief intervention via a non-blended web app seems to show good acceptance and feasibility in a small target group of patients with CVD. Future studies should further develop, improve and validate digital psychotherapy approaches, especially in patient groups with a lack of access to standard psychotherapeutic care.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Computer Science for Business Administration

External Organisation(s)

Hannover Medical School (MHH)
OFFIS - Institute for Information Technology
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover (HsH)

Type

Article

Journal

Frontiers in psychiatry

Volume

14

ISSN

1664-0640

Publication date

28.09.2023

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Psychiatry and Mental health

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1138475 (Access: Open)