CBT for Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC-CBT)

Karolinska Institute

Status: Completed

Conditions: Ventricular Premature Complexes

Treatments: Behavioral: CBT

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05087238

PVC-CBT

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of the present interdisciplinary research program is to develop and evaluate a disease-specific cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) protocol to increase quality of life (QoL) and reduce symptom burden in patients with Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC).

Full description

Patients will be recruited in collaboration with arrythmia specialist units in Stockholm and through advertisement in local newspapers and social media. All patients giving informed consent will be screened thoroughly by the research nurse and a psychologist before included by the study cardiologist. 20-30 patients that meet eligibility criteria will be included and receive 8-10 sessions of cognitive behavior therapy during 8-10 weeks. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, treatment will be delivered face-to face through a secure digital platform. The psychologist delivering the treatment will have direct access to the study cardiologist during treatment. Follow-up at 3 and 6 months.

Enrollment: 19 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 70 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion

• 18-70 years old
• PVCs that cause moderate to severe symptoms and leads to significant distress or interferes with daily life.
• Optimal medical treatment in the opinion of the treating physician.
• Able to read and write in Swedish.

Exclusion

• Structural heart disease including previous myocardial infarction, heart failure with preserved or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, valvular disease, previous cardiac surgery.
• Other arrhythmia or severe medical illness;
• Scheduled for ablation therapy or any other cardiovascular intervention
• Any medical restriction to physical exercise.
• Severe depression or risk of suicide;
• Alcohol dependency.

All patients will undergo thorough cardiological and psychological assessment to ensure that eligibility criteria are met.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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19 participants in 1 patient group

PVC-specific CBT

Other group

Description:

This novel CBT treatment for symptomatic PVC targets cardiac anxiety and symptom preoccupation related to PVC. Treatment is developed from the research groups treatment for Atrial Fibrillation and may be altered during the treatment period to better meet the needs of the patients. Patients receive 10 weeks of CBT delivered through face to face digital video sessions.

Treatment:

Behavioral: CBT