Effects of a behavioural intervention on quality of life and related variables in angioplasty patients: results of the EXhaustion Intervention Trial.
OBJECTIVE
The EXhaustion Intervention Trial investigated the effect of a behavioural intervention programme on exhaustion, health-related quality of life (HRQL), depression, anxiety, hostility, and anginal complaints in angioplasty patients who felt exhausted after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).


METHODS
Seven hundred ten patients were randomized into an intervention group and a usual care control group. The group intervention focused on stressors leading to exhaustion and on support of recovery. HRQL (measured by the MacNew questionnaire), exhaustion [measured by the Maastricht Questionnaire and the Maastricht Interview Vital Exhaustion (MIVE)], anxiety (measured by the State-Trait Inventory), and depression (measured by the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV) were assessed at intake and at 6 and 18 months. Presence of anginal complaints was assessed at 18 months.


RESULTS
The intervention had a significant beneficial effect on all psychological factors except hostility and on the presence of anginal complaints. The effect of the intervention on exhaustion, as assessed by the MIVE, was modified by a previous history of coronary artery disease (CAD). Gender modified the effect of the intervention on exhaustion and on anxiety, the strongest effect being observed in women.


CONCLUSIONS
The behavioural intervention improved HRQL and related psychological factors. Somatic comorbidity and a history of CAD limited the effect of the intervention.
Appels
Ad
A
Department Medical Psychology, Maastricht University, Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. ad.appels@mp.unimaas.nl
van Elderen
Therese
T
Bär
Frits
F
van der Pol
Gerda
G
Erdman
Ruud A M
RA
Assman
Maarten
M
Trijsburg
Wim
W
van Diest
Rob
R
van Dixhoorn
Jan
J
Pedersen
Susanne S
SS
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012803:Sick Role; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires