Group Psychological Therapy Program in Adult Patients with Congenital Heart Disease and Anxious-Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety and depression are significant mental health concerns for individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD). As group therapy has proven to be a valuable and effective treatment option for managing anxiety and depression, the aim of this study was to determine its effects on patients with CHD and anxious-depressive symptoms. Methods: We used non-pharmacological psychological group intervention, of six weekly sessions of 90 min each, administered by trained personnel, in adult patients with CHD. Measurement tools included quality of life (Euro quality of life-5D questionnaire), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), and satisfaction surveys. Results: A total of 18 out of 21 CHD patients (mean age 35.8 +/- 9.0 years old and 13 (72%) females) completed the program. According to CHD complexity, five (28%) patients had mild, six (33%) moderate, and seven (38%) great defects. Patients with CHD scored significantly higher in the Euro quality of life visual analogue scale (7.83 +/- 1.4 vs. 7.14 +/- 1.6, p = 0.012) and lower in the Beck Depression Inventory-II (12.3 +/- 10.9 vs. 18.1 +/- 12.1, p = 0.003) post-program than pre-intervention. Meanwhile, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score was close to reaching statistical significance (27.4 +/- 6.0 vs. 25.1 +/- 5.4, p = 0.051), while the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory did not. Finally, participants scored high in the satisfaction questionnaire at the end of the sessions, on a scale from 0 to 3, especially in the questions related to feeling comfortable with others (2.5 +/- 0.6), recommending the program (2.3 +/- 0.6), or being willing to attend future sessions (2.6 +/- 0.8). Conclusions: Group psychological therapy proved to be a useful tool to reduce depressive symptomatology after a 6-week program, providing a comfortable environment to patients with CHD.