Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: Background: Anxiety and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent comorbidities among patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-established intervention for depression, its efficacy in MI patients remains inconclusive. Objective: To evaluate the effects of CBT on anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality in patients following MI. Design: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for reporting. Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched from inception to March 2025 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating CBT in patients with MI. Two independent researchers screened the literature, assessed study quality, and extracted data based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to calculate mean differences, with statistical analyses conducted using Stata 15.0. Results: Eleven RCTs involving 1,575 participants were included. The findings showed that CBT led to greater improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms compared with control interventions. In addition, CBT significantly improved sleep quality among patients after MI. Conclusion: CBT is associated with improvements in psychological and sleep outcomes following MI. However, the existing evidence shows high variability and heterogeneity. Further large-scale, high-quality trials are needed to confirm these findings and develop standardized protocols for implementing CBT in this patient population. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42025636352, identifier CRD42025636352.
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Authors: Xin Wei, Lin Fu, Huiling Liu, Zhihong Huang, Xiaoqian Lu
Institutions: Henan University, Zhongshan People's Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7129410870