Heart patients may benefit from depression study

Thursday 1 June 2006

An innovative Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) pilot study which is treating depression in heart disease patients will continue thanks to funding from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF).

HMRI researcher Associate Professor Amanda Baker from the University of Newcastle's Centre for Mental Health Studies has received a grant for $55,045 from the ARHRF to further her project BraveHeart: A psychological treatment for depression in people with cardiac disease.

Associate Professor Baker and her team have been monitoring levels of depression among cardiac patients at the John Hunter Hospital, New South Wales. Research has shown that depression is a risk factor for cardiac disease and increases the risk of further heart problems.

"Over one-quarter of patients scored above a clinical threshold for depression. Through BraveHeart, we aim to investigate the benefits of a group-based psychological treatment for people with both heart disease and depression," said Associate Professor Baker.

"Our pilot study, which was conducted at John Hunter Hospital, has shown promising results. The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund grant will enable us to continue our research, which will hopefully lead to an improvement in the health of heart patients in the Hunter Region and beyond."

The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund is one of the largest independent medical research funds in Australia. Since its establishment in 1981 the Fund has invested more than $12 million in research projects ranging from cot death and adolescent health, to the Ross River virus and bowel cancer screening. Its current research focus area is mental health.

ARHRF Director Dick White will make a presentation to the HMRI research group behind BraveHeart, Associate Professor Amanda Baker and co-investigators Mr John Hambridge, Ms Alyna Turner, Associate Professor Jenny Bowman, and Mrs Frances Kay-Lambkin, at the Officers Quarters Complex, James Fletcher Hospital, tomorrow at 11.30am.

Media contact: Lauren Eyles, HMRI Communication Officer, phone 4921 4841 or 0434 600 940.