Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings
10:45

A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings

Published on: January 22, 2018

Cognitive-behavioural stress management does not improve biological cardiovascular risk indicators in women with

M Claesson1, L S Birgander, J-H Jansson

  • 1Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine/Medicine, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden. maria.claesson@medicin.umu.se

Journal of Internal Medicine
|September 12, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A cognitive-behavioural intervention improved psychosocial well-being in women with ischaemic heart disease (IHD), but did not significantly alter key biochemical cardiovascular risk indicators. This suggests psychological well-being may not directly impact biological markers of heart disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychosomatic Medicine
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Psychosocial factors like stress and vital exhaustion are linked to increased cardiovascular event risk.
  • Women experience greater psychosocial distress post-myocardial infarction compared to men.
  • Previous research indicated a cognitive-behavioural intervention improved psychosocial well-being in women with ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if improved psychosocial well-being from a cognitive-behavioural intervention is associated with better biochemical cardiovascular risk indicators in women with IHD.
  • To test the hypothesis linking psychological improvements to biological markers of cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized-controlled trial was conducted in northern Sweden involving women with IHD.
  • Participants were assigned to a 1-year cognitive-behavioural stress management program or usual care.
  • Outcomes included various biochemical markers (e.g., hs-CRP, fibrinogen, leptin) and psychosocial variables.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups in biochemical risk indicators such as waist circumference, hs-CRP, fibrinogen, or HOMA2-IR.
  • Changes in psychosocial variables were not statistically associated with changes in any measured biological cardiovascular risk indicators.
  • The cognitive-behavioural stress management program did not lead to improvements in intermediate biochemical targets related to metabolic syndrome and IHD.

Conclusions:

  • While the cognitive-behavioural stress management program positively affected psychosocial outcomes like stress and vital exhaustion, it did not improve intermediate biochemical cardiovascular risk markers.
  • The findings challenge a direct cause-effect relationship between psychological well-being and biological cardiovascular risk indicators.
  • The study suggests that interventions targeting psychological well-being may not translate into measurable improvements in specific biological markers of cardiovascular risk.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm07:26

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm

Published on: May 4, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I01:26

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I

Stress prevention and management are crucial for maintaining well-being and building resilience. Techniques to manage stress include cultivating qualities like conscientiousness, a sense of personal control, and self-efficacy. Each of these traits significantly reduces stress and promotes healthier lifestyle choices and outcomes.
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III01:25

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III

Regular exercise and meditation serve as essential tools in managing stress and promoting physical and mental well-being.
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the risk...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care01:28

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...