Abstract
Dusseldorp, E., Van Elderen, T., Maes, S., Meulman, J., & Kraaij, V. (1999).
A meta-analysis of psychoeducational programs for coronary heart disease patients.
Health Psychology, 18(5), 506-519.
In a meta-analysis of 37 studies, the effects of psychoeducational (health education and stress
management) programs for coronary heart disease patients were examined. The results suggest that
these programs yielded a 34% reduction in cardiac mortality; a 29% reduction in recurrence of
myocardial infarction (MI); and significant ( p < .025) positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol,
body weight, smoking behavior, physical exercise, and eating habits. No effects of psychoeducational
programs were found in regard to coronary bypass surgery, anxiety, or depression. The results also
suggest that cardiac rehabilitation programs that were successful on proximal targets (systolic blood
pressure, smoking behavior, physical exercise, emotional distress) were more effective on distal targets
(cardiac mortality and MI recurrences) than programs without success on proximal targets.