Psychosocial effects of enhanced external counterpulsation in the angina patient: A second study

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive technique that h as shown promise in the treatment of ischemic coronary artery disease. Pati ents undergoing EECP were tested for alterations in psychosocial state asso ciated with treatment. Overall perception of health and quality of life imp roved with EECP. There was also significant improvement in levels of depres sion, anxiety, and somatization but no change in levels of anger or hostili ty. On most measures, change was more significant for subjects who showed o bjective evidence of resolution of ischemia. Given the known predictive rel ationship between depression and mortality from cardiac disease, the improv ement in depression scores through EECP indicates a finding of potential im portance that may warrant further study in future research.