Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Depression: Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Adults
Abstract
Depression is often a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and psychotherapy for depression can result in positive cardiovascular disease outcomes for patients. A correlational study explored the impact of psychotherapy referrals with medication treatment for depression on cardiovascular risk factors of blood pressures, HbA1C, and depression which is measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). At three internal medicine clinics in the Midwest, 31 adults with depression and cardiovascular risk factors were included in the psychotherapy intervention. Retrospective data was collected from August 2015-August 2016 prior to the psychotherapy referrals, and prospective data was obtained from September 2016-December 2016 from clients receiving psychotherapy referrals with medication treatment which was initiated for patients with a diagnosis of depression and cardiovascular risk factors. Pre-post risk factors of blood pressure, HbA1C, and depression were measured within the intervention group. The project found a strong positive correlation between HbA1C and PHQ-9 with psychotherapy but no significant correlation between blood pressures and PHQ-9 scores in the intervention group. Regression analysis confirmed that depression treatment positively affects HbA1C and PHQ-9 scores. Treatment of depression can reduce cardiovascular risk factors and favorably impact mortality and morbidity
Degree
D.N.P.
Thesis Department
Rights
Open Access (fully available)
Copyright retained by author