Coaching program to reduce depression and improve health after heart attacks
Official title: Multisite feasibility of BA-HD: An integrated depression and behavioral risk factor reduction coaching program following acute coronary syndrome
Funded at Miriam Hospital · NIH-10904926 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly coaching program called Behavioral Activation for Health and Depression (BA-HD) to help heart patients who are also feeling depressed, by encouraging better habits like taking their medicine, being active, and eating well, and it will compare this program to regular care to see how well it works and if people like it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Miriam Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $327,252 |
| NIH project number | 5R34HL165716-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10904926 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have recently experienced an acute coronary syndrome event and are also dealing with depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of acute coronary syndrome or who are not experiencing depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a coaching program called Behavioral Activation for Health and Depression (BA-HD) designed for patients recovering from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who also experience depression. The program aims to improve health behaviors such as medication adherence, physical activity, and diet, which are often negatively impacted by depression. The research will be conducted across three regions in the United States and will compare the BA-HD program to standard care to assess its feasibility and effectiveness. Patients will be recruited to participate in a pilot trial to evaluate how well the program works and how acceptable it is to participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery outcomes for heart attack patients suffering from depression by enhancing their health behaviors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that integrated behavioral interventions can be effective in improving health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Miriam Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gathright, Emily Claire — Miriam Hospital
- Study coordinator: Gathright, Emily Claire
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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.