The Effects of Journaling on Health-Related Mood and Clinical Outcomes in Post-MI Patients
| Status: | Enrolling by invitation |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Cardiology, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Cardiology / Vascular Diseases, Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 35 - Any |
| Updated: | 8/30/2018 |
| Start Date: | April 2015 |
| End Date: | December 2018 |
Psychosocial factors, including positive affect, finding meaning in the event, and managing
emotional distress, influence prognosis following a heart attack or myocardial infarction
(MI). Gratitude, typically defined as a feeling or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit
that one has received or will receive, is associated with higher levels of well-being, and
people who are more grateful experience less stress, are less depressed, have higher levels
of control over their environment, and more positive ways of coping. The present project will
examine the potential benefits of a gratitude intervention (i.e., 8 weeks of gratitude
journaling) to increase positive health behaviors, psychological health, and physical
functioning in post-MI patients as compared to journaling about memorable events as well as
care as usual alone. The investigators will study psychological and physical functioning at
baseline, following 8 weeks of gratitude journaling or care as usual, and at 4-month
follow-up.
emotional distress, influence prognosis following a heart attack or myocardial infarction
(MI). Gratitude, typically defined as a feeling or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit
that one has received or will receive, is associated with higher levels of well-being, and
people who are more grateful experience less stress, are less depressed, have higher levels
of control over their environment, and more positive ways of coping. The present project will
examine the potential benefits of a gratitude intervention (i.e., 8 weeks of gratitude
journaling) to increase positive health behaviors, psychological health, and physical
functioning in post-MI patients as compared to journaling about memorable events as well as
care as usual alone. The investigators will study psychological and physical functioning at
baseline, following 8 weeks of gratitude journaling or care as usual, and at 4-month
follow-up.
Inclusion criteria:
1. Suffered an MI (ST Elevation MI (STEMI) or Non-ST Elevation MI (NSTEMI) with creatine
kinase MB fraction elevation 3 times the upper limits of normal and with ischemic ECG
changes within 12 months of baseline testing;
2. An EF less than 50% on echocardiogram;
3. Clinically stable defined as, no active arrhythmia, no residual ischemia;
4. Able to perform light to moderate exercise;
5. Able to give informed consent in English;
6. Medical clearance by their cardiologist;
7. > 35 years of age.
Exclusion criteria:
1. Unstable angina;
2. Severe valvular disease;
3. Oxygen-dependent COPD;
4. Recent stroke or significant cerebral neurologic impairment;
5. Suicidality with intent or plan;
6. Current cancer;
7. Currently taking mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines or antipsychotics;
8. Medications (e.g., systemic steroids) and conditions affecting immune status (e.g.,
rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, HIV) (Anti-depressant medication is allowed);
9. Currently enrolled in another clinical trial.
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