L. Berkman et al., Enhancing recovery in coronary heart disease (ENRICHD) study intervention:Rationale and design, PSYCHOS MED, 63(5), 2001, pp. 747-755
Objective: Depression and low social support are risk factors for medical m
orbidity and mortality after acute MI. The ENRICHD study is a multicenter,
randomized, controlled clinical trial of a cognitive-behavioral treatment f
or depression and low social support in post-MI patients. A total of 2481 p
atients were recruited (26% with low social support, 39% with depression, a
nd 34% with low social support and depression). Our objective is to describ
e the rationale, design, and delivery of the ENRICHD intervention, Methods:
Key features of the intervention include the integration of cognitive-beha
vioral and social learning approaches to the treatment of depression and a
diverse set of problems that can contribute to low social support; rapid in
itiation of treatment after MI; a combination of individual and group modal
ities; adjunctive pharmacotherapy for severe or intractable depression; tra
ining, certification, and supervision of therapists; and quality assurance
procedures. Results: The trial's psychosocial and medical outcomes will be
presented in future reports. Conclusions: The ENRICHD protocol targets two
complex psychosocial risk factors with a multifaceted intervention, which i
s delivered in an individualized manner to accommodate a demographically, m
edically, and psychiatrically diverse patient population. Additional resear
ch will be needed to identify optimal matches between patient characteristi
cs and specific components of the intervention.