Cognitive behavioural therapy shows promise in heart failure patients with depression

Cognitive behavioural therapy for heart failure patients with depression can considerably improve their emotional health and overall quality of life, a US study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has shown. However, the intervention did not improve heart failure self care or physical functioning when compared with enhanced usual care.1

Major depression is a common comorbidity in heart failure. Depression and inadequate self care are common and inter-related problems that increase the risk of hospitalisation and death in patients …