Basic research is crucial, but it becomes even more valuable when translated into practical
applications. In the field of psycho-cardiology, this translation is of utmost importance as we strive
to develop effective interventions for our patients and their families. Our laboratory has focused
extensively on investigating one of the most evidence-based recovery programs, namely, cardiac
prevention and rehabilitation programs (CPRPs). Given the low participation rates in CPRP
worldwide, we have aimed to identify the psychological barriers that hinder patients from attending
these crucial and life-saving programs. Together with our former PhD student, now Professor Orna
Reges, we have successfully identified significant ethnic, cognitive, emotional, and systemic barriers
to participation in CPRPs (Reges et al, 2014).
Over the years, we have also dedicated our efforts to developing interventions that directly impact
patients’ psychological well-being in the field. In 2018, we devised and evaluated a group
intervention protocol specifically designed for patients coping with heart failure, a population that
often faces challenges related to quality of life and existential anxieties. Our study focused on a
seven-session existentially oriented group intervention called EXOGI-HF. Throughout the program,
we investigated participants' subjective experiences and observed notable improvements in several
critical areas, including personal growth, social support, self-worth, and perceived control (Vilchinsky
et al, 2018).
In recent years, as our understanding of the needs and difficulties faced by caregivers has grown, we
have concentrated on developing a digital intervention tailored for this group. As part of a
multinational project, named Entwine-Informal Care, which received funding from the Horizon 2020
- European Research Commission fund, we adapted and translated an existing internet-based
intervention, originally developed in Sweden, to support informal caregivers in Italy. The project, led
by our PhD student, Michelle Semonella, is known as the SOSteniamoci project, and leverages the
advantages of internet-based interventions, such as remote accessibility, asynchronous therapy
sessions, and the preservation of anonymity. The preliminary findings of this study are highly
encouraging, and we are eagerly working towards launching SOSteniamoci and adapting it to other
cultures as well.