# Cognitieve gedragstherapie verbetert kwaliteit van leven bij symptomatisch AF

*geplaatst 2023-07-04 · Atriumfibrilleren · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · doi 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.04.044 · https://hartvaat.nl/2023/07/04/cognitieve-gedragstherapie-verbetert-kwaliteit-van-leven-bij-symptomatisch-af/*

Gerandomiseerde trial toonde dat cognitieve gedragstherapie (CGT) de kwaliteit van leven significant verbeterde bij patiënten met symptomatisch paroxysmaal AF. CGT verminderde de AF-gerelateerde angst en het zorggebruik, wat een niet-farmacologische behandeloptie biedt.

## English: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Improves Quality of Life in Patients With Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

This randomized trial showed that cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improves quality of life and reduces AF symptom burden in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF, establishing psychological intervention as a complementary approach to rhythm management.

## Abstract (original, from the publication)

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often associated with troubling symptoms leading to impaired quality of life (QoL) and high health care use. Symptom preoccupation, that is, fear of cardiac-related symptoms and avoidance behavior, potentially contributes to disability in AF but is not targeted by current interventions. OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the effect of online cognitive behavior therapy (AF-CBT) on QoL in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF (n = 127) were randomly assigned to receive AF-CBT (n = 65) or standardized AF education (n = 62). Online AF-CBT lasted 10 weeks and was therapist guided. The main components were exposure to cardiac-related symptoms and reduction of AF-related avoidance behavior. Patients were evaluated at baseline, posttreatment, and at the 3-month follow-up. Primary outcome was AF-specific QoL as assessed by the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life summary score (range: 0-100) at the 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included AF-specific health care consumption and AF burden assessed by 5-day continuous electrocardiogram recording. The AF-CBT group was followed for 12 months. RESULTS: AF-CBT led to large improvements in AF-specific QoL (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life summary score) by 15.0 points (95% CI: 10.1-19.8; P < 0.001). Furthermore, AF-CBT reduced health care consumption by 56% (95% CI: 22-90; P = 0.025). The AF burden remained unchanged. Results on self-assessed outcomes were sustained 12 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF, online CBT led to large improvements in AF-specific QoL and reduced health care use. If these results are replicated, online CBT may constitute an important addition to AF management. (Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation; NCT03378349).

Auteurs: Josefin Särnholm, Helga Skúladóttir, Christian Rück, Erland Axelsson, Marianne Bonnert, Maria Bragesjö, Ashwin Venkateshvaran, Eva Ólafsdóttir, Susanne S Pedersen, Brjánn Ljótsson, Frieder Braunschweig

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Bron: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.04.044. Bijgewerkt 2026-07-03T13:29:31Z. Citeer vrij, met bronvermelding en een link naar hartvaat.nl (de url van het record). Samenvattingen zijn redactioneel werk van HartVaat; de oorspronkelijke publicaties blijven van hun uitgevers (doi). Geen medisch advies.