Development and Preliminary Efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Counseling Program as Part of Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: While psychological intervention is recognized as a core component of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), its application in CR remains limited. This study aimed to develop a psychological counseling program (the Mindfulness-Based Counseling Program [MBCP]) as a component of comprehensive CR for the patients with cardiovascular disease and to explore its preliminary efficacy.Methods: We developed a psychological counseling program (MBCP) as part of comprehensive CR. The MBCP consisted of six-week psychological counseling and mindfulness practice. Through this program, we aimed to promote health maintenance behaviors and stress management. Thirteen subjects with either acute myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure with reduced EF (≤40%) participated, randomized into either comprehensive CR including MBCP (n=7) or exercise-based CR (n=6). Psychological-status assessments included life satisfaction (DSQ), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), type D personality, and stress (PSS).Results: The comprehensive CR group (n=7) experienced a significant decrease in anxiety and improvements in general health and mental aspects of HRQoL. The exercise CR group (n=6) experienced reduced depression and significantly increased mental aspects of HRQoL. Additionally, the overall satisfaction and participation rate for MBCP was high.Conclusions: The MBCP developed in this study showed preliminary efficacy for CR and is anticipated to enhance psychological wellbeing and the quality of life among cardiac patients.