Behavioral Activation at Home via Telehealth for Depression in Heart Disease Patients
Official title: Behavioral Activation Delivered via Home-based Telehealth to Improve Functioning inCardiovascular Disease Patients Recently Discharged from Inpatient Care
Funded at Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · NIH-11518045 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A home-based telehealth program delivering Behavioral Activation to adults recently discharged after a cardiovascular event aims to improve daily functioning and mood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003377-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518045 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with cardiovascular disease who have been recently discharged from inpatient care and are experiencing depression
✕Less likely to help
Patients without depression or those unable to access telehealth may see limited benefit
What this research studies
This project tests whether delivering a simple psychotherapy for depression through home-based telehealth helps people recover better after being hospitalized for a heart problem. Participants are adults with cardiovascular disease who are recently discharged and showing depressive symptoms, and they receive Behavioral Activation remotely over the internet or phone. The study compares this approach to standard post-discharge care, using multiple follow-ups over 9 months to see how well functioning and mood improve. If successful, the model could make evidence-based depression care more accessible for heart patients who have trouble traveling to clinics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience better mood and greater ability to function in daily life after a heart event, with a convenient home-based treatment
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in veterans showed home-based BA can deliver depression care effectively; this study tests this approach in post-discharge cardiovascular patients
Where this research is happening
-
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acierno, Ronald E. — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Acierno, Ronald E.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.