Posted Nov 29, 2009
Women being treated for heart disease may be less depressed if their rehabilitation is gender-exclusive, says a University of South Florida researcher.
The five-year study of Tampa Bay area patients found that those enrolled in women-only rehab and support groups were less depressed, and thus more likely to attend and complete the program, which emphasizes exercise and proper diet.
A healthy mindset could be significant for heart patients who need certain levels of exercise, proper diet and behavior to maintain long-term health, said Theresa Beckie, a USF College of Nursing professor and the study’s lead investigator.
“There’s a lot of evidence that depression affects exercise and medical adherence,” said Beckie, who presented her findings today at the American Heart Association’s national scientific sessions, being held this week in Orlando. “It’s a vicious cycle.”
The study, held at St. Joseph’s Hospital’s outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program over the last five years, involved 225 women recovering from such heart issues as coronary bypass, stinting or a heart attack. The average age was 63.
Each participant was randomly assigned either a gender-specific or co-ed rehabilitation program for 12 weeks. Both programs included exercise, such as aerobic and resistance training, educational sessions and consultations with a dietitian. The women were assessed before, during and after the program for depression.
Beckie said she found patients in the women’s-only group responded better to exercise and to more-intimate support group sessions. Individual motivation sessions with a psychologist also helped improve attitudes toward doing what was necessary to stay well. Those in the traditional co-ed program were more likely to be resistant toward behavior changes such as eating better or quitting smoking.
“It’s no accident that just about every hospital has a women’s heart program … there’s an intuitive appeal to it,” she said.
Previous studies have found that about 20 percent of all cardiac disease patients deal with depression and its associated health consequences. Rates of depression for women run higher in this group, as well as in the general population, Beckie said.
“We don’t know the mechanisms that link heart disease and depression, but there’s no question they are linked,” she said.
The study was supported by a $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Reporter Mary Shedden can be reached at (813) 259-7365.
Date: Nov 18, 2009
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