Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of participants randomized to internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy or online discussion forum.
| Characteristics | Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (n=72) | Web-based discussion forum (n=72) | |
| Sex, n (%) | |||
|
|
Male | 47 (65) | 42 (58) |
|
|
Female | 25 (35) | 30 (42) |
| Age (years), mean (SD) | 61 (13) | 64 (12) | |
| Education, n (%) | |||
|
|
Elementary | 7 (10) | 12 (17) |
|
|
Upper secondary/high school | 16 (22) | 21 (29) |
|
|
Postsecondary vocational education | 12 (17) | 6 (8) |
|
|
College/university | 37 (51) | 33 (46) |
| Occupation, n (%) | |||
|
|
Working | 26 (36) | 18 (25) |
|
|
Sick leave/disability pension/unemployed | 9 (13) | 10 (14) |
|
|
Retired | 32 (44) | 36 (50) |
|
|
Other | 5 (7) | 8 (11) |
| Living alone, n (%) | 19 (26) | 19 (26) | |
| Smoking, n (%) | |||
|
|
Never | 33 (46) | 36 (50) |
|
|
Ex-smoker | 37 (51) | 33 (46) |
|
|
Smoker | 2 (3) | 3 (4) |
| Alcohol consumption, n (%) | |||
|
|
0-4 units per week | 51 (71) | 58 (80) |
|
|
5-9 units per week | 17 (24) | 10 (14) |
|
|
10-14 units per week | 3 (4) | 4 (6) |
|
|
15 or more units per week | 1 (1) | 0 (0) |
| Cardiovascular disease, n (%) | |||
|
|
Myocardial infarction/angina | 34 (47) | 29 (40) |
|
|
Atrial fibrillation | 40 (56) | 41 (57) |
|
|
Heart failure | 18 (25) | 20 (28) |
| Number of cardiac diagnoses, n (%) | |||
|
|
1 | 52 (72) | 52 (72) |
|
|
2 | 15 (21) | 17 (24) |
|
|
3 | 5 (7) | 3 (4) |
| Time since cardiac diagnosis, n (%) | |||
|
|
<6 months | 7 (10) | 9 (13) |
|
|
>6 months | 61 (85) | 62 (86) |
|
|
Do not know | 4 (5) | 1 (1) |
| Comorbidities, n (%) | |||
|
|
Hypertension | 36 (50) | 40 (56) |
|
|
Diabetes | 8 (11) | 13 (18) |
|
|
Pulmonary disease | 7 (10) | 8 (11) |
|
|
Stroke and/or TIAa | 9 (13) | 10 (14) |
|
|
Renal disease | 3 (4) | 2 (3) |
|
|
Cancer | 7 (10) | 9 (13) |
|
|
Other psychiatric disorder | 4 (6) | 8 (11) |
| NYHAb class, n (%) | |||
|
|
1 | 23 (32) | 18 (25) |
|
|
2 | 25 (35) | 28 (39) |
|
|
3 | 24 (33) | 26 (36) |
| Cardiovascular disease medications, n (%) | |||
|
|
RAAS blockadec | 34 (47) | 35 (49) |
|
|
Beta-blocker | 55 (76) | 55 (76) |
|
|
MRAd | 5 (7) | 6 (8) |
|
|
Neprilysin inhibitor | 0 (0) | 1 (1) |
|
|
Antiplatelet/anticoagulants | 63 (88) | 65 (90) |
|
|
Statins | 36 (50) | 33 (46) |
|
|
Diuretics | 14 (19) | 19 (26) |
|
|
Nitroglycerine | 15 (21) | 15 (21) |
|
|
Rhythm stabilizing agents | 9 (13) | 8 (11) |
| Depression medications, n (%) | |||
|
|
Antidepressants | 7 (10) | 13 (18) |
|
|
Anxiolytics | 7 (10) | 12 (17) |
|
|
Sleep medication | 23 (40) | 19 (26) |
aTIA: transient ischemic attack.
bNYHA: New York Heart Association function classification.
cRAAS blockade: renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blocking agents.
dMRA: mineral receptor antagonists.