DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7463793
title: Dataset related to: "Feasibility of telepsychology support for patients with advanced cardiorespiratory diseases and their caregivers"

description: We provide the raw data used for the following article: Gazzi L, Comini L, Scalvini S, Taccolini I, Vitacca M. <strong>Feasibility of telepsychology support for patients with advanced cardiorespiratory diseases and their caregivers. </strong>Front Psychol. 2022 Aug 10;13:909417. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.909417 Abstract <strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of telepsychology support for patients with severe cardiorespiratory disease and their caregivers. A secondary objective was to explore pre-post relationships between patients' and caregivers' clinical measures. <strong>Methods: </strong>A telehealth program incorporating telepsychology support, i.e., an "on-demand" phone service with a psychologist, was provided to consecutive cardiorespiratory patients at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and to their caregivers. At the start and end of the 1-year program, participants were interviewed "face-to-face," and their anxiety/depression level, patients' quality of life (MRF-28, SF-36, and MQOL), and caregivers' (<em>n</em> = 18) family strain (FSQ) and needs (CNA) were assessed: we analyzed the correlations and evaluated customer satisfaction. <strong>Results: </strong>Of 80 eligible individuals, 40 took part in this study: 22 patients (FVC = 39 ± 14%; EF = 39 ± 13%) and 18 caregivers. Eleven (28%, 6 patients and 5 caregivers) requested tele-psychological support, resulting in 51 consultations focused on anxiety, difficulty in patient management, worry about the patient's emotional state, and need for emotional support; 3 participants underwent a tailored psychotherapy program. All participants expressed high satisfaction with the service. At enrolment, anxiety was less evident in patients (73% men) than in caregivers, while depressive symptoms were more evident (6.5 ± 3.1), and correlated with MRF-28 and MQOL. Caregivers' (94% women) FSQ showed a "strongly recommended" need for support; at enrolment, high levels of anxiety/depression were correlated with high FSQ (for both, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05); depressive symptoms correlated negatively with age (<em>p</em> = 0.025) and positively with emotional needs (<em>p</em> = 0.025); anxiety was positively correlated with education level (<em>p</em> = 0.048). At follow-up, patients' perception of support (<em>n</em> = 13/22) tended to increase (<em>p</em> = 0.089), while caregivers' strain (<em>n</em> = 10/18) tended to decline (to within the "range of attention"). At enrolment, caregivers' anxiety/depression and strain correlated with patients' quality of life (for both; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). At follow-up, caregivers' strain correlated with patients' quality of life (<em>p</em> = 0.028) and cognitive performance (<em>p</em> = 0.048). <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Telepsychology support associated with a telehealth service is feasible and satisfying for both participants and psychological management. A suitable support program can benefit both patients and caregivers, particularly those at higher risk of depressive symptoms (younger caregivers) and anxiety (all caregivers).