Internet-based therapy for stress and anxiety in heart disease patients

Evaluation of an Adaptable and Personcentered Internet-based CBT Program Aimed to Treat Stress, Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Linkoeping · NCT04726722

This study is testing an online therapy program to see if it can help heart disease patients feel less stressed and anxious over nine weeks.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Linkoeping Academic / other
Locations1 site (Norrköping, Linköpings universitet)
Trial IDNCT04726722 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates a nine-week adaptable internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT) program aimed at reducing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Participants will be recruited from hospitals in south-east Sweden and will undergo a screening process to assess their eligibility based on their medical history and psychological symptoms. Eligible participants will complete baseline questionnaires online and will be randomized into different treatment groups to assess the effectiveness of the I-CBT program. The study aims to provide a tailored approach to mental health care for individuals with CVD.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and above with stable cardiovascular disease and elevated levels of stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients with severe cardiovascular disease or those requiring acute treatment for psychological distress may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve mental health outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for various psychological conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach in cardiovascular patients.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* age 18 years and above
* treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD) according to European Society of Cardiology guidelines
* stable CVD (New York Heart Association class I-III) and not having been hospitalised for CVD in in the last four weeks.
* stress (Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-10\>13 points) and/or
* anxiety (i.e. General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD) ≥5 points) and/or
* depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 28 (PHQ-9) \> 5 points)

Exclusion Criteria:

* severe CVD (New York Heart Association classification IV) or another severe chronic life-threatening disease
* severe stress, anxiety or depression assessed as requiring acute treatment
* not being able to dedicate 3-4 hours per week to participate in the program

Where this trial is running

Norrköping, Linköpings universitet

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cardiovascular DiseasePsychological DistressCardiovascular diseasePsychological distressInternet-based cognitive behavioural therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.