Key result
Six-week group psychological therapy is linked to a ~32% reduction in depressive symptoms in CHD.
Why the study?
Anxiety and depression are significant concerns in congenital heart disease, and the study aimed to determine the effects of group therapy in patients with CHD and anxious-depressive symptoms.
Does a group psychological therapy program improve quality of life and reduce anxious-depressive symptoms in adult patients with congenital heart disease?
Does a group psychological therapy program improve quality of life and reduce anxious-depressive symptoms in adult patients with congenital heart disease?
Absolute Event Rate: 12.3% vs 18.1%
p-value: p=0.003
A 6-week group psychological therapy program significantly improved quality of life and reduced depressive symptoms in adult patients with congenital heart disease.
May support group therapy benefits in congenital heart disease; hypothesis-generating and requires randomized confirmation before practice change.
Introduction: Anxiety and depression are significant mental health concerns for individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD). As group therapy has proven to be a valuable and effective treatment option for managing anxiety and depression, the aim of this study was to determine its effects on patients with CHD and anxious–depressive symptoms. Methods: We used non-pharmacological psychological group intervention, of six weekly sessions of 90 min each, administered by trained personnel, in adult patients with CHD. Measurement tools included quality of life (Euro quality of life-5D questionnaire), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), anxiety (State–Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), and satisfaction surveys. Results: A total of 18 out of 21 CHD patients (mean age 35.8 ± 9.0 years old and 13 (72%) females) completed the program. According to CHD complexity, five (28%) patients had mild, six (33%) moderate, and seven (38%) great defects. Patients with CHD scored significantly higher in the Euro quality of life visual analogue scale (7.83 ± 1.4 vs. 7.14 ± 1.6, p = 0.012) and lower in the Beck Depression Inventory-II (12.3 ± 10.9 vs. 18.1 ± 12.1, p = 0.003) post-program than pre-intervention. Meanwhile, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score was close to reaching statistical significance (27.4 ± 6.0 vs. 25.1 ± 5.4, p = 0.051), while the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory did not. Finally, participants scored high in the satisfaction questionnaire at the end of the sessions, on a scale from 0 to 3, especially in the questions related to feeling comfortable with others (2.5 ± 0.6), recommending the program (2.3 ± 0.6), or being willing to attend future sessions (2.6 ± 0.8). Conclusions: Group psychological therapy proved to be a useful tool to reduce depressive symptomatology after a 6-week program, providing a comfortable environment to patients with CHD.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Martínez‐Quintana et al. (2025) studied Congenital heart disease with anxious-depressive symptoms (n=18). Group psychological therapy program vs. Pre-intervention baseline was evaluated on Beck Depression Inventory-II score (p=0.003). A 6-week group psychological therapy program significantly reduced depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II score 12.3 vs 18.1 pre-intervention; p=0.003) in adult patients with CHD.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: