The recurrent coronary prevention project: initial findings

A behavioural treatment programme, designed to modify type A behaviour, has been compared with cardiological measures (e.g. diet, exercise and adherence to medication), and with 'no treatment', for its ability to prevent reinfarction in patients who had suffered a myocardial infarct at least six months previously. Provisional results show fewer reinfarctions and greater modification of type A behaviour in the group receiving behavioural treatment. In the third year, to date, the difference favouring behavioural over cardiological measures was statistically significant (P less than 0.01), and other factors seem unlikely to be responsible. The five-year study still has two years to run.