Use of a free online program that aims to help patients suffering from both depression and cardiovascular disease with mood control resulted in vast improvements in the overall health of users, according to research published this week in the journal Plos One. The study compared the health outcomes of people who used the program--e-couch--with those who received health information via conventional methods.
"Interestingly, those who used e-couch also showed better adherence to medical treatments and some improvements in their lifestyle," the study's authors said. "Our study shows that for people with mild to moderate depression and physical health problems, online interventions targeting mood problems are more effective at improving psychological health and some aspects of physical health than health and lifestyle advice alone." Study