Patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are prone to symptoms of depression after surgery, which can negatively impact clinical outcomes. Rollman and colleagues randomized CABG patients with depressive symptoms to receive either an intervention (n = 150) or usual care (n = 152). Patients in the usual care group and their primary physician were told of their depression status but no treatment was provided. Patients in the intervention group received phone calls from a nurse (who was supervised by the patients' physician and a psychiatrist) every other week for two to four months, then every one to two months until the eight-month intervention period had ended. During the calls nurses discussed the patients' psychiatric history, offered psychoeducation on the effects of depression on heart disease, and described treatment options, which included an educational workbook, antidepressant medication, referral to a mental health specialist, and monitoring mood levels.

After eight months of phone calls, patients in the intervention group had improved scores for mental status, with half the group reporting a 50% or greater reduction in depressive symptoms-a reduction reported by only 30% of the usual care group. Men benefited more from the intervention than women, with 60% and 38%, respectively, reporting a reduction in scores on a depression rating scale.

The authors concluded that the intervention improved mental health-related quality of life, reduced depressive symptoms, and benefited physical functioning. However, not all patients responded positively to the intervention; the authors noted that further research is needed to identify effective treatment for women and for patients with resistant depression.