THE EFFECT OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY IN REDUCING ANXIETY IN HEART DISEASE PATIENTS

Introduction: the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on anxiety reduction and improvement of quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease.methods: the statistical population comprised patients with coronary artery disease (cad) in isfahan in 2006. fifty-six cad patients referring to chamran heart center and isfahan cardiovascular research center (icrc) were randomly selected and assigned to control and case groups. the case group underwent cognitive-behavioral therapy (cbt) in 8 two-hour structural sessions. patients in both case and control groups completed cattel anxiety questionnaire and mc new life quality questionnaire, which are specific for patients with cardiac disease before, and 2 weeks after therapy. the control group only completed the questionnaires without therapy. both groups completed another questionnaire, which obtained demographic information.results: based on the results, cognitive-behavioral therapy in the case group led to reduced anxiety and improved quality of life (p<0.000). our findings showed the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in reducing hidden and manifest anxiety (p<0.000) and improving the quality of life, as well as emotional, physical, and social function (p<0.000) in patients with cardiovascular disease.conclusions: we recommend that methods for anxiety reduction and improvement of quality of life be taught to cad patients via cognitive-behavioral therapy programs.