Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Cardiac Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

• admitted to one of study units with any cardiac diagnosis OR cardiac procedure on this admission
• able to speak and read English
• able to provide informed consent and participate in therapy
• access to and ability to use a computer with internet access.

Between 4 and 12 weeks after discharge, consenting participants will be required to meet a further inclusion criterion of:

• current depressive symptoms of at least mild severity on 2 successive assessments, 4 weeks apart or a single assessment of mild symptoms at 12 weeks post-discharge.

Exclusion Criteria:

Applied at screening (and criteria 1 and 2 reapplied before enrolment):

1. active suicidal ideation (since this requires immediate referral for intense psychiatric care)
2. previous suicide attempt
3. currently undergoing psychotherapy for depression
4. receiving antidepressant medication that has been initiated or adjusted within previous 3 months
5. concurrent psychiatric disorder, other than anxiety;
6. self-reported substance misuse within past 6 months
7. concurrent terminal illness
8. clinical status interfering with ability to independently engage in iCBT.