Can psychological interventions affect cardiac rehabilitation patients’ well-being? Preliminary results from a longitudinal study

Background: Research has explored the link between psychological factors and cardiovascular diseases [CVDs], with a focus on identifying predictors of these disorders. Cardiac Rehabilitation [CR] is crucial for heart disease patients, particularly those with psychological comorbidities, as it helps in self-care and understanding their condition. This study aims to compare the psychological health of CVD patients - in terms of anxiety, depression, and illness perception - before (baseline, T0) and after (over time, T1) multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation treatment, considering the effects of different psychological interventions (psychoeducational group, progressive muscle relaxation training, and individual counseling). Methods: A total of 181 patients with acute coronary syndrome [ACS], cardiac decompensation [CD], or cardiac surgery [CS], participated in a rehabilitation program between January and August 2023. Self-report questionnaires were used to investigate levels of anxiety, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and illness perception (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire) at T0 and T1. Results: Statistically significant changes were found over time. Individual counseling led to significant reductions in depression and anxiety, and improved illness perception. Anxiety levels were also influenced by the type of cardiovascular disease and by the presence or absence of physical comorbidity. Conclusions: The study highlights significant improvements in levels of anxiety, depression, and illness perception from T0 to T1. Individual counseling is the most high-impact psychological intervention. These findings show the importance of psychological interventions in enhancing CVD patients' psychological and physical well-being.