Study Shows Behavioral Activation Reduces Depression Symptoms and Improves Quality of Life

Comparative Effectiveness of Psychotherapy vs Antidepressants for Depression in Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial examined the effectiveness of Behavioral Activation (BA) vs antidepressant medication management (MEDS) in patients with heart failure from 2018-2022. The study was published in January 2024 and results showed that both BA and MEDS reduced patients’ depressive symptoms by nearly 50%. Patients who received BA treatment also experience an improvement in mental health-related quality of life, had fewer Emergency Department visits, and were hospitalize for fewer days.