Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of entire sample and patients randomly assigned to the brief cognitive therapy intervention versus control*
| Characteristic | Overall sample (N = 41) | Intervention group (N = 20) | Control group (N = 21) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 19 (45%) | 10 (48%) | 9 (43%) | .8 |
| Age | 66 ± 11 | 68 ± 10 | 64 ± 12 | .2 |
| Married | 24 (57%) | 14 (67%) | 10 (48%) | .2 |
| Minority | 4 (10%) | 2 (10%) | 2 (10%) | 1.0 |
| Education level | ||||
| Less than high school | 15 (36%) | 10 (48%) | 5 (25%) | .3 |
| High school graduate | 12 (29%) | 6 (30%) | 6 (30%) | |
| Some college or greater | 14 (33%) | 5 (24%) | 9 (45%) | |
| Employment status | ||||
| Employed | 3 (7%) | 2 (10%) | 1 (5%) | .5 |
| Sick leave or disability | 15 (36%) | 9 (43%) | 6 (30%) | |
| Retired | 21 (50%) | 10 (48%) | 13 (65%) | |
| Body Mass Index | 31± 8.6 | 28.2 ± 6.4 | 33.8 ± 9.7 | .03 |
| NYHA functional class | ||||
| Class II | 8 (19%) | 6 (29%) | 2 (10%) | .08 |
| Class III | 31 (74%) | 15 (71%) | 16 (76%) | |
| Class IV | 3 (7%) | 0 (0%) | 3 (14%) | |
| Left ventricular ejection fraction | 39.5± 16.4 | 40.8 ± 17 | 38.1 ± 16.1 | .6 |
| Etiology of HF | ||||
| Ischemic | 26 (62%) | 13 (62%) | 13 (62%) | .5 |
| Hypertensive | 8 (19%) | 4 (19%) | 4 (19%) | |
| Idiopathic | 6 (14%) | 2 (10%) | 4 (19%) | |
| Other | 2 (10%) | 2 (10%) | 0 (0%) | |
| Smoking status | ||||
| Never smoked | 17 (41%) | 7 (33%) | 10 (50%) | .4 |
| Former smoker | 14 (33%) | 9 (43%) | 8 (40%) | |
| Current smoker | 7 (17%) | 5 (24%) | 2 (10%) | |
| Second hand smoke exposure | 12 (29%) | 6 (29%) | 6 (29%) | .6 |
| Months since diagnosed with HF | 39 ± 56 | 45 ± 68 | 32 ± 37 | .4 |
| Newly diagnosed with HF in the past month | 13 (31%) | 8 (38%) | 5 (24%) | .3 |
| History of depression | 14 (33%) | 9 (43%) | 5 (24%) | .2 |
| History of anxiety | 13 (31%) | 8 (38%) | 5 (24%) | .3 |
| Comorbidities | ||||
| Prior myocardial infarction | 17 (41%) | 8 (38%) | 9 (43%) | .8 |
| Atrial fibrillation | 19 (45%) | 8 (38%) | 11 (52%) | .4 |
| CABG surgery | 12 (29%) | 10 (48%) | 2 (9.5%) | .006 |
| Biventricular pacemaker | 17 (41%) | 8 (38%) | 9 (43%) | .8 |
| Implanted cardiac defibrillator | 19 (45%) | 8 (38%) | 11 (52%) | .4 |
| Prior stroke | 8 (19%) | 4 (19%) | 4 (19%) | 1.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 17 (41%) | 12 (57%) | 5 (25%) | .04 |
| Diabetes | 19 (45%) | 9 (43%) | 10 (48%) | .8 |
| Renal dysfunction | 16 (38%) | 9 (43%) | 7 (33%) | .5 |
| Medications on discharge | ||||
| ACE inhibitor | 19 (45%) | 10 (48%) | 13 (62%) | .4 |
| Antiogensin receptor blocker | 6 (14%) | 3 (14%) | 3 (14%) | 1.0 |
| Beta blocker | 36 (86%) | 17 (81%) | 19 (91%) | .4 |
| Digoxin | 17 (41%) | 9 (43%) | 8 (38%) | .8 |
| Diuretic | 26 (62%) | 16 (76%) | 10 (48%) | .06 |
| Antidepressant use | ||||
| Hospital admission | 15 (36%) | 7 (33%) | 8 (38%) | .7 |
| Hospital discharge | 17 (41%) | 8 (38%) | 9 (43%) | .8 |
| 3 months after enrollment | 15 (37%) | 8 (44%) | 7 (39%) | .7 |
| Laboratory values on admission | ||||
| B-type natriuretic peptide | 746 ± 914 | 963 ± 1171 | 529 ± 496 | .2 |
| BUN | 26.2 ± 18.9 | 31.7 ± 23.6 | 20.5 ± 9.8 | .06 |
| Creatinine | 1.3 ± 1.2 | 1.5 ± 1.6 | 1.1 ± 0.43 | .3 |
| Sodium | 138.5 ± 6.2 | 138 ± 5.3 | 139 ± 7.2 | .7 |
| Beck Depression Inventory-II | 16.7 ± 6.7 | 15.8 ± 6.5 | 17.6 ± 6.7 | .4 |
| Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire | 54 ± 25 | 50 ± 25 | 58± 25 | .3 |
| Crandell Cognitions Inventory | 61 ± 19 | 59 ± 19 | 64 ± 18 | .5 |
*
Data are given as n (%) or mean ± standard deviation unless otherwise indicated.
*
Differences between groups were assessed using the independent t-test or Pearson chi-square, as appropriate to the level of measurement