Key result
Behavioral activation significantly improved heart rate variability, with a mean difference in SDNN of 7.59 ms compared to usual care over 9 months in older adults with subthreshold depression.
Why the study?
Heart rate variability provides autonomic indices related to depression, but few studies have evaluated the effect of behavioral activation on heart rate variability, particularly in older adults with subthreshold depression.
Does behavioral activation improve heart rate variability in older adults with subthreshold depression?
Comparison
Behavioral activation with usual care vs usual care only
Design
Cluster randomized controlled trial in two Health Promoting Hospitals
Follow-up
9 months
Authors
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Behavioral activation warrants consideration to improve autonomic function in older adults with subthreshold depression; extends evidence on psychological interventions and heart rate variability.
RCT (n=82)
Single-blind
Cluster randomized
Yes
Does behavioral activation improve heart rate variability in older adults with subthreshold depression?
Mean Difference: 7.59 (95% CI 1.67–13.5)
Absolute Event Rate: 31.83% vs 24.25%
p-value: p=<0.05
Behavioral activation may improve autonomic function, as measured by heart rate variability, in older adults with subthreshold depression.
Ayudhaya et al. (2022) conducted an RCT in Subthreshold depression (n=82). Behavioral activation vs. Usual care was evaluated on SDNN (Standard Deviation of the Normal-to-Normal interval) at 9 months (MD 7.59, 95% CI 1.67-13.50, p=<0.05). Behavioral activation significantly improved heart rate variability, with a mean difference in SDNN of 7.59 ms compared to usual care over 9 months in older adults with subthreshold depression.
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