Browsing by Author "Irvine, Jane"

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    Can Psychological Interventions Reduce Mortality Rates in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Cancer? A Review of Randomized Trials
    (eCOMMUNITY: International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction, 2005-05-02) Scott, Heather K.; Irvine, Jane; Ritvo, Paul; Mann, Robert E.
    This paper reviews evidence on the impact of psychological interventions on survival in patients suffering from one of two leading causes of death in developed countries: coronary heart disease and cancer. "Psychological interventions" in this context refers to those procedures commonly thought of as psychotherapy. Studies employing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered. While there are inconsistencies in the literature, there is promising evidence on the potential for psychotherapy to affect survival from these two diseases. Beneficial effects on survival have been documented in about half of the controlled trials that have been reported in the literature. Limitations of these findings are considered and promising directions for future research identified.