Abstract |
The feasibility of altering a Type A style of life was investigated in 1012 nonsmoking predominantly male postinfarction volunteers in the San Francisco Bay area. A total of 862 were randomly allocated into an experimental section receiving a combination of Type A and cardiac counseling, or a control section receiving cardiac counseling alone. The remaining 150 formed a nonrandom but statistically equivalent comparison section. Assessments of change in Type A behavior were made by the participant, his or her spouse, a work colleague, and an independent rater of a videotaped structured interview. Psychometric analyses indicated that these instruments were valid and reliable measures of Type A behavior. After 24 months, participants receiving Type A/cardiac counseling exhibited a significantly greater reduction in Type A behavior than the other two sections, and had a lower cardiovascular recurrence rate than the comparison section only. No differences among the three sections were observed in total cholesterol or resting blood pressure. The results suggest that Type A behavior can be altered by group counseling in postinfarction volunteers and that such alteration is superior to no group counseling at all in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.
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Authors | L H Powell, M Friedman, C E Thoresen, J J Gill, D K Ulmer |
Journal | Psychosomatic medicine
(Psychosom Med)
1984 Jul-Aug
Vol. 46
Issue 4
Pg. 293-313
ISSN: 0033-3174 [Print] United States |
PMID | 6484101
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Attitude
- Blood Pressure
- Cholesterol
(blood)
- Counseling
(methods)
- Electrocardiography
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Myocardial Infarction
(prevention & control, psychology)
- Psychometrics
- Recurrence
- Type A Personality
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