Non-pharmacological interventions such as cognitive behavior therapy and supportive stress management appear more effective than medications for treating depression after coronary artery bypass surgery.

The research was conducted by Dr Kenneth E. Freedland and colleagues from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and involved 123 patients who had major or minor depression within one year after surgery.

The scientists noted that after three months, 71 percent of patients in the cognitive behavior therapy group and 57 percent in supportive stress management group experienced remission of their depression.

However, only 33 percent of those who were in the usual care group saw improvement.

“Cognitive behavior therapy was also superior to usual care on most secondary psychological outcomes, including anxiety, hopelessness, perceived stress and the mental component of health-related quality of life,” the authors wrote.

The study was published in the April issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

Other non-drug therapies that have been used by people suffering from anxiety and stress include exercise, healthy diet and health supplements.