Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyRandomised controlled trial

Efficacy of a web-based intervention for improving psychosocial well-being in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: the randomized controlled ICD-FORUM trial

Eur Heart JPublished

  • Randomised controlled trial
  • multicentre
  • stratified for age, gender and indication for ICD placement

Authors' conclusion

Although the primary outcome was neutral, this is the first RCT showing that WBI can improve psychosocial well-being in ICD patients.

Study context

Population
ICD patients with elevated psychosocial distress (HADS anxiety or depression subscale ≥6 or Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) ≤16), 7 German sites; mean age 58.8 ± 11.3 years, 22% women
Participants
118 patients · 7 German sites
Comparison
Web-based intervention vs usual care
Primary endpoint
Composite of:
  • Change in heart-focused fear
  • Depression
  • Mental quality of life (QoL)
Follow-up
6 weeks after randomization

Primary result

As reported in the abstract

6 weeks

Primary outcome similar between groups (ηp2)

0.001

Further findings

OutcomeP value
Overprotective support, change pre-intervention to 6 weeks · WBI superior; ηp2 = 0.036P = 0.004
Change pre-intervention to 1 year: depression, self-management, overprotective support — WBI vs UC · depression; WBI superior; ηp2 = 0.032P = 0.004
Change pre-intervention to 1 year: depression, self-management, overprotective support — WBI vs UC · self-management; WBI superior; ηp2 = 0.015P = 0.03
Change pre-intervention to 1 year: depression, self-management, overprotective support — WBI vs UC · overprotective support; WBI superior; ηp2 = 0.031P = 0.02
Change 6 weeks to 1 year: depression, anxiety, mobilization of social support — WBI vs UC · depression; WBI superior; ηp2 = 0.026P = 0.02
Change 6 weeks to 1 year: depression, anxiety, mobilization of social support — WBI vs UC · anxiety; WBI superior; ηp2 = 0.022P = 0.03
Change 6 weeks to 1 year: depression, anxiety, mobilization of social support — WBI vs UC · mobilization of social support; WBI superior; ηp2 = 0.018P = 0.047

Original publication

Efficacy of a web-based intervention for improving psychosocial well-being in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: the randomized controlled ICD-FORUM trial. Eur Heart J. Published 8 April 2019. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz134

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it