Key result
Internet-assisted CBT cuts cardiac anxiety scores by ~32% in non-cardiac chest pain.
Why the study?
Nearly half of patients with non-cardiac chest pain experience significant complaints after negative cardiac evaluation, but few receive effective psychological treatment due to lack of capacity and low patient interest.
Does internet-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy improve symptoms and prove feasible in patients with non-cardiac chest pain?
Does internet-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy improve symptoms and prove feasible in patients with non-cardiac chest pain?
Standardized Mean Difference: 0.91
Absolute Event Rate: 17% vs 25%
p-value: p=0.02
A brief internet-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy intervention is feasible, well-accepted, and shows promising clinical effects for patients with non-cardiac chest pain in a cardiac setting.
Supports integration of brief internet-assisted CBT into cardiac clinics for non-cardiac chest pain; extends RCT evidence for digital psychological interventions.
Nearly half of patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) experience significant complaints after a negative cardiac evaluation, at considerable costs for society. Due to the lack of treatment capacity and low interest for psychological treatment among patients with somatic complaints, only a minority receive effective treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and usefulness of internet-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT), including encouragement of physical activity for this condition. Ten patients with NCCP received a six-session I-CBT intervention with minimal support from a therapist. Questionnaires assessing cardiac anxiety, fear of bodily sensations, depression, interpretation of symptoms, frequency of chest pain and impact of chest pain symptoms were collected at baseline, post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Semi-structured interviews employing a phenomenological hermeneutic approach assessed the participants’ experience of the intervention. Quantitative results showed clear improvements in several measures both at end of treatment and at 3-month follow-up. The retention rate was 100% and client satisfaction was high. The intervention was feasible to implement in a cardiac setting. This setting made it easier for patients to accept a psychological approach. Qualitative interviews revealed that the participants felt respected and taken care of, and they obtained a better understanding of their chest pain and how to cope with it. This pilot study yielded promising results regarding feasibility, clinical effect and patient satisfaction from a brief I-CBT intervention for NCCP in a cardiac setting. These results indicate that a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size is warranted. Key learning aims (1) Feasibility of internet-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT) for non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). (2) How NCCP patients experience I-CBT. (3) Possible effects of I-CBT. (4) How I-CBT can be delivered at the Cardiac Department.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Thesen et al. (2021) studied Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) (n=10). Internet-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT) vs. Pre-treatment baseline was evaluated on Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) score (Cohen's d 0.91, p=0.02). A six-session internet-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for non-cardiac chest pain was feasible and significantly reduced cardiac anxiety scores (Cohen's d 0.91).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: