Efficacy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Reducing Depression among Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of RCTs

Purpose: The aim of this review is to identify the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and the characteristics of CBT therapy that effectively improve depression among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: Studies that assessed CBT efficacy in decreasing depression among CHD patients with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched through PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently screened and critically appraised them using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The fixed- and random-effect models were applied to pool standardized mean differences. Results: Fourteen RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. Depression was significantly lower in the CBT group (SMD −0.37; 95% CI: −0.44 to −0.31; p < 0.00001; I(2) = 46%). Depression in the CBT group was significantly lower in the short-term follow-up (SMD −0.46; 95% CI: −0.69 to −0.23; p < 0.0001; I(2) = 52%). Moreover, the subsequent therapy approaches were effective in reducing depression, including face-to-face and remote CBT, CBT alone or combination therapy (individual or mixed with a group), and frequent meetings. Conclusions: CBT therapy effectively reduces depression, particularly in short-term follow-up. The application of CBT therapy in CHD patients should consider these findings to increase the efficacy and efficiency of therapy. Future research is needed to address generalizability.