Anxiety, Chest Pain, Fear
Conditions
Brief summary
This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy intervention in the treatment of cardiac anxiety and fear of body sensations in patients with non-cardiac chest pain. The control group will receive care-as-usual.
Detailed description
Despite reassurance, many patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) think they have an undetected cardiac disease and avoid activities that they think might be harmful to their heart. These patients need help and support to evaluate the way they perceive and handle their chest pain. Therefore, we have developed a 4 session guided intervention based on cognitive behavioural therapy that will be delivered via internet. The intervention consists of psychoeducation, exposure to physical activity, and a breathing-based relaxation exercise. The goal with the intervention is to help the participants modify their beliefs about chest pain, change their cognitive and behavioural strategies, and give them tools to handle chest pain to prevent them from relapse.
Interventions
Sponsors
Ostergotland County Council, Sweden
Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden
Linkoeping University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* recurrent chest pain that has been diagnosed as non-cardiac at least twice during last 6 months * patients screened positive for avoidance of physical activity due to cardiac anxiety and/or fear of body sensations
Exclusion criteria
* no regular access to a computer/tablet computer with internet connection * language difficulties * not able to perform physical activity/exercise test due to physical constraints * patients with severe depressive symptoms * patients with acute ischemic heart disease
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac anxiety (Data collection) | 12 months | Data collection will be performed before and after the intervention, and 3 and 12 months after the end of the intervention |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fear of body sensations (Data collection) | 12 months | Data collection will be performed before and after the intervention, and 3 and 12 months after the end of the intervention |
| Depressive symptoms (Data collection) | 12 months | Data collection will be performed before and after the intervention, and 3 and 12 months after the end of the intervention |
| Healthcare utilization and costs (Data collection) | 12 months | Data collection will be performed12 months after the end of the intervention |
Countries
Sweden
Outcome results
None listed