Key result
Structured cardiac rehabilitation is associated with lower anxiety and depression in CVD patients.
Why the study?
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of an exercise- and healthy habit-based cardiac rehabilitation program on anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life, and assess how baseline anxiety and depression influence these outcomes.
Does a structured cardiac rehabilitation program improve anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life in patients with cardiovascular conditions?
Cohort (n=189)
Does a structured cardiac rehabilitation program improve anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life in patients with cardiovascular conditions?
Participation in a structured cardiac rehabilitation program is associated with significant reductions in anxiety and depression and improvements in health-related quality of life among cardiovascular patients.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Cardiac rehab was associated with reduced anxiety/depression and improved HRQoL; leaves open whether RCTs would confirm benefits and support routine integration.
INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program based on physical exercise and the promotion of healthy habits on anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life in patients with cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, it sought to analyze the influence of baseline anxiety and depression levels on post-treatment health-related quality of life outcomes. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted with 189 patients who completed a structured cardiac rehabilitation program. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, while health-related quality of life was measured with the RAND-36 survey. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analyses included paired t tests for pre/post-comparisons and ANCOVA to evaluate the impact of initial anxiety and depression on health-related quality of life improvements. RESULTS: The cardiac rehabilitation program significantly reduced anxiety (mean difference = - 0.93, CI: - 1.42 to - 0.44, p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.35) and depression (mean difference = - 0.62, CI: - 0.99 to - 0.25, p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.32), with improvements observed across several health-related quality of life dimensions, including emotional well-being (p = 0.005) and energy/fatigue (p < 0.001). Baseline anxiety and depression levels influenced changes in specific health-related quality of life dimensions, such as social functioning and role limitations due to physical health (p < 0.05). Causal interpretations are limited by the observational design and absence of a control group. DISCUSSION: The results show an association between participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs and a reduction in anxiety and depression, as well as improved health-related quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease. Baseline psychological status plays a key role in determining the magnitude of health-related quality of life improvements, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
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García-Sánchez et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular disease (n=189). Cardiac rehabilitation program vs. Pre-intervention baseline was evaluated on Anxiety (Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale) (MD -0.93, 95% CI -1.42 to -0.44, p=<0.001). A structured cardiac rehabilitation program reduced anxiety and depression in patients with cardiovascular disease.
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