Exercise, Counseling Benefits Depressed Heart Failur...(r 12 weeks. The cognitive behavioral...),Health

"The cognitive behavioral therapy was geared toward changing the attitude of the patients about their illness," Gary said. "We wanted them to change their negative thoughts and beliefs, and restructure and reformat how they think about their illness and limitations. For example, we developed a volunteer and activities sign-up sheet in each community that provided transportation for those who wanted to get out of the home or contribute in some way."

Patients combining exercise and behavioral therapy improved significantly in a six-minute walk test than the other groups. They also had fewer symptoms of depression than those having only standard care.

Oddly, even though those in the counseling-only group had fewer depressive symptoms after therapy, they believed their quality of life was worse than those of the combined group or exercise-only group.

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The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about depression and heart failure.

-- Kevin McKeever

SOURCE: American Heart Association, news release, May 1, 2008