title: Efficacy of psychosocial interventions on psychological outcomes among people with cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This systematic review aimed to examine empirical evidence concerning the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in ameliorating the psychosocial problems of people with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to identify both published and non-published English randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from 2000 to 2015. Two reviewers independently screened, assessed risks for bias, and extracted data. Comprehensive meta-analysis software was used to analyse the extracted data. Hedges's g effect size was used to determine the effects of psychosocial interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty studies were included in the review but only 18 studies reported significant short-term effects of psychosocial interventions in CVD patients. Most studies did not report long-term effects. Average effect sizes for stress, anxiety, depression, and combined depression/anxiety were 0.34, 1.04, 0.42 and 0.67 respectively at post-tests. Those numbers became 0.09, 0.65, 0.22 and 0.09 at follow-up assessments. Psychosocial programmes with psychoeducation and stress management helped reduce patients' stress and anxiety levels. Programmes including psychotherapy, counselling, mindfulness-based intervention (MBI), and stress management helped mitigate depression and anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings support the efficacy of some psychosocial interventions in people with CVDs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare providers should monitor patients' psychological problems and may integrate psychosocial interventions as part of treatment plans.
authors.affiliation: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: nurpk@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Piyanee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klainin-Yobas
authors.affiliation: National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Shu Huey
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Pricilia Dew Maria
authors.initials: PDM
authors.lastname: Stephen
authors.affiliation: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D003376:Counseling; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
keywords: Anxiety; Cardiovascular diseases; Depression; Psychosocial interventions; Stress