Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and metanalysis of randomized control trials

Major depression (MD) is prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF) and contributes to increased risk of hospitalization and mortality. The implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has become a key strategy for treating HF patients' depression. We performed a comprehensive literature search for studies that evaluated the efficacy of adjunctive CBT compared to the standard of care (SOC) in HF patients with MD. The primary outcome was the depression scale (post-intervention and by the end of follow-up). The secondary outcomes were the quality of life (QoL), self-care scores, and 6-min walk test distance(6-MW). The standardized mean difference (SMD) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model. A total of 6 RCTs with 489 patients (244 in the CBT group and 245 in the SOC group) were included. As compared to the SOC, CBT was associated with a statistically significant improvement in the post-interventional depression scale (SMD: -0.45, 95%CI: -0.69, -0.21; P < 0.01) and by the end of follow-up (SMD: -0.68, 95%CI: -0.87, -0.49; P < 0.01). Furthermore, CBT significantly improved the QoL (SMD: -0.45, 95%CI: -0.65, -0.24; P < 0.01). However, there were no differences in the self-care scores (SMD: 0.17, 95%CI: -0.08, 0.42; P = 0.18) or in 6-MW (SMD: 0.45, 95%CI: -0.39, 1.28; P = 0.29) between the two groups. According to our meta-analysis of published clinical studies, CBT may be more effective than standard therapy at enhancing depression scores and quality of life. To assess the long-term clinical effects of CBT in heart failure patients, larger and more powerful RCTs are required.