Brief Internet-delivered CBT After ACS

Brief Internet-delivered Exposure-based Therapy to Reduce Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and Cardiac Anxiety After Acute Coronary Syndrome: a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of the present pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a brief, internet-delivered CBT protocol provided early after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS; myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina (UA)) is one of the leading causes of mortality and health loss globally. ACS is a stressful and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular event, and many patients develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTSS) and cardiac anxiety post ACS, which have been shown to negatively affect patients' long-term cardiovascular prognosis.The aim of the proposed pilot study is to develop and evaluate a brief internet-delivered exposure-based CBT intervention provided early following ACS to reduce ACS-related PTSS, cardiac anxiety. and increase physical activity and quality of life. Patients with recent ACS (≥ 4 weeks to 6 months) and with elevated PTSS and anxiety will be eligible. After informed consent, patients will be randomized to internet-delivered CBT (N=15) or to a wait-list control group (N=15). The treatment is a 5 week, therapist-guided, internet-delivered intervention which includes imaginal exposure, interoceptive exposure, and exposure in-vivo. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediate post-treatment, and 2- and 6- months after treatment. The wait-list will be crossed over to CBT after completion of the 2 month follow-up.

Acute coronary syndrome, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Cardiac anxiety, Cognitive behavioral therapy

Patient education: Common reactions following ACS. The role of PTS, cardiac anxiety and avoidance behavior on quality of life and physical health and health behaviors. Labeling i.e., describe cardiac-related symptoms, thoughts, and feelings. Imaginal exposure to reduce PTSS: Imaginal processing and revisiting of the memory of the ACS Interoceptive exposure to physical sensations (e.g., palpitations due to physical activity) to reduce fear of these symptoms. Gradual exposure in-vivo to avoided situations, activities and physical activity. Continuously use labeling while conducting exposure exercises. Relapse prevention: Prevention of relapse into avoidance behaviors by identifying risk situations and encouragement of maintaining a healthy physically active lifestyle.

The waitlist control will be offered an opportunity to participate in the intervention after the 2-month intervention evaluation period.

The 5-week intervention is psychologist-guided and delivered via text-based interactive online treatment modules, where patients complete weekly homework assignments and have regular online contact with psychologists with training in CBT for cardiac disease. Key components include imaginal exposure of the ACS event, interoceptive exposure through at home physical activity that stimulats the CV system, exposure in-vivo to reduce avoided situations, and activities to enhance physical activity wellbeing. Labeling (i.e., describing cardiac-related symptoms, thoughts, and feelings) will be used continuously during treatment to enhance the effect of exposure.

A measure of coronary artery disease on five scales: physical limitation scale, anginal stability scale, anginal frequency scale, treatment satisfaction scale, and the disease perception scale. With a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life.

Treatment satisfaction, score ranging from 0 to 32, with a higher score indication more satisfaction with the treatment.

Feasibility of the intervention components will be assessed by >60% assessed as treatment completers. Descriptive analysis will also provide number of messages and therapist time.

Potential adverse reactions to the treatment. Participants will be asked to report and rate the short- and long term discomfort of the adverse event on a scale from 0 ('did not affect me at all') and 3 ('affected me very negatively').

A measure of coronary artery disease on five scales: physical limitation scale, anginal stability scale, anginal frequency scale, treatment satisfaction scale, and the disease perception scale. With a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life.

A measure of coronary artery disease on five scales: physical limitation scale, anginal stability scale, anginal frequency scale, treatment satisfaction scale, and the disease perception scale. With a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life.

A measure of coronary artery disease on five scales: physical limitation scale, anginal stability scale, anginal frequency scale, treatment satisfaction scale, and the disease perception scale. With a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life.

Measure of post traumatic stress, score ranging from 0-80, with a higher score indicating more post traumatic stress.

Measure of post traumatic stress, score ranging from 0-80, with a higher score indicating more post traumatic stress.

Measure of post traumatic stress, score ranging from 0-80, with a higher score indicating more post traumatic stress.

Measure of post traumatic stress, score ranging from 0-80, with a higher score indicating more post traumatic stress.

Measure of cardiac anxiety, fear, avoidance and attention. The score ranges between 0 and 72, with a greater score indicating elevated cardiac anxiety.

Measure of cardiac anxiety, fear, avoidance and attention. The score ranges between 0 and 72, with a greater score indicating elevated cardiac anxiety.

Measure of cardiac anxiety, fear, avoidance and attention. The score ranges between 0 and 72, with a greater score indicating elevated cardiac anxiety.

Measure of cardiac anxiety, fear, avoidance and attention. The score ranges between 0 and 72, with a greater score indicating elevated cardiac anxiety.

MI-related avoidance questionnaire behaviors developed by the research group. score ranging from 0 to 68 . Higher scores indicate more avoidance behavior.

MI-related avoidance questionnaire behaviors developed by the research group. score ranging from 0 to 68 . Higher scores indicate more avoidance behavior.

MI-related avoidance questionnaire behaviors developed by the research group. score ranging from 0 to 68 . Higher scores indicate more avoidance behavior.

Fear of bodily symptoms, score ranging from 0 to 72 . Higher scores indicate more fear of body sensations.

Fear of bodily symptoms, score ranging from 0 to 72 . Higher scores indicate more fear of body sensations.

Fear of bodily symptoms, score ranging from 0 to 72 . Higher scores indicate more fear of body sensations.

Cardiac-related symptoms in two sub scales A) frequency: score ranging from 0-48, with higher score indicating higher frequency of symptoms, B) severity of experienced symptom: score ranging from 0- 48, with a higher score indicating more severe symptoms

Cardiac-related symptoms in two sub scales A) frequency: score ranging from 0-48, with higher score indicating higher frequency of symptoms, B) severity of experienced symptom: score ranging from 0- 48, with a higher score indicating more severe symptoms

Cardiac-related symptoms in two sub scales A) frequency: score ranging from 0-48, with higher score indicating higher frequency of symptoms, B) severity of experienced symptom: score ranging from 0- 48, with a higher score indicating more severe symptoms

General quality of life, with a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life General quality of life, with a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life

General quality of life, with a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life General quality of life, with a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life

General quality of life, with a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life General quality of life, with a score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicating a better quality of life

Measure of depression, score ranging 0 to 27 with a higher score indicating higher level of depression

Measure of depression, score ranging 0 to 27 with a higher score indicating higher level of depression

Measure of depression, score ranging 0 to 27 with a higher score indicating higher level of depression

The Godin Leisure-time Exercise and International Physical Activity Questionnaire 1 item on inactivity

Level of physical activity and inactivity: On the Godin leisure-time excercise: The participant rate numbers of time per week that they engage in physical activity. The numb ers are the categorized in to low, moderate, and high levels of physical activity. And from International Physical Activity Questionnaire we will use 1 item on inactivity

The Godin Leisure-time Exercise and International Physical Activity Questionnaire 1 item on inactivity

Level of physical activity and inactivity: On the Godin leisure-time excercise: The participant rate numbers of time per week that they engage in physical activity. The numb ers are the categorized in to low, moderate, and high levels of physical activity. And from International Physical Activity Questionnaire we will use 1 item on inactivity

The Godin Leisure-time Exercise and International Physical Activity Questionnaire 1 item on inactivity

Level of physical activity and inactivity: On the Godin leisure-time excercise: The participant rate numbers of time per week that they engage in physical activity. The numb ers are the categorized in to low, moderate, and high levels of physical activity. And from International Physical Activity Questionnaire we will use 1 item on inactivity

Questionnaire regarding diet (5 item), tobacco (2 item) and alcohol (3 item) diet (5 item), tobacco (2 item) and alcohol (3 item)

Questionnaire regarding diet (5 item), tobacco (2 item) and alcohol (3 item) diet (5 item), tobacco (2 item) and alcohol (3 item)

Questionnaire regarding diet (5 item), tobacco (2 item) and alcohol (3 item) diet (5 item), tobacco (2 item) and alcohol (3 item)

3 item on cardiac-specific healthcare consumption. Scores ranges 0-15 with a higher score indicating more cardiac-related healthcare consumption.

3 item on cardiac-specific healthcare consumption. Scores ranges 0-15 with a higher score indicating more cardiac-related healthcare consumption.

3 item on cardiac-specific healthcare consumption. Scores ranges 0-15 with a higher score indicating more cardiac-related healthcare consumption.

Potential adverse reactions to the treatment. Participants will be asked to report and rate the short- and long term discomfort of the adverse event on a scale from 0 ('did not affect me at all') and 3 ('affected me very negatively').

Potential adverse reactions to the treatment. Participants will be asked to report and rate the short- and long term discomfort of the adverse event on a scale from 0 ('did not affect me at all') and 3 ('affected me very negatively').

Potential adverse reactions to the treatment. Participants will be asked to report and rate the short- and long term discomfort of the adverse event on a scale from 0 ('did not affect me at all') and 3 ('affected me very negatively').

4 items derived from the Symptoms Checklist (SCL) and the Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale (AFSS) measuring disabling cardiac symptoms

Inclusion Criteria: (A) ACS ≥ four weeks to six months before assessment (MI type 1 STEMI/NSTEMI and UA) (B) Age 18-80 years (C) Symptoms of PTSD and/or cardiac anxiety that leads to distress and/or interferes with daily life (PCL5; ≥ 10, CAQ: ≥20) (D) On standard of care medical treatment for the cardiac condition according to Swedish cardiovascular guidelines (E) Ability to read and write in Swedish. Exclusion Criteria: (F) Heart failure with severe systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤ 35%) (G) Significant valvular disease (H) Planned coronary artery bypass surgery or percutaneous interventions (I) Any medical restriction to physical exercise (J) Severe uncontrolled medical illness i.e., advanced cancer (K) Grade 3 hypertension (i.e., blood pressure ≥ 180 systolic and/or 110 diastolic) (L) Severe psychiatric disorder, active suicidal ideations or cognitive impairment that precludes provision of informed consent or study activities (M) Alcohol dependency (N) Ongoing psychological treatment.