Rehabilitation of post MI depression and psychological invalidism: a pilot study

The majority of survivors of myocardial infarction experience an array of psychological and emotional reactions. Often, persistent anxiety and depression impair recuperation and rehabilitation. A behaviorally based treatment approach is utilized which consists of a combination of deep muscle relaxation, imagery based desensitization, social reinforcement, stress management, activity scheduling and shaping technics. The spouse is utilized as a facilitator/co-therapist. This approach is shown to be effective in increasing adaptive function, decreasing depressive symptomology and facilitating return to acceptable premorbid levels of activity.