Cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation
illness and illness behavior
SESSION, DISORDERS
The cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation program was developed for cardiac rehabilitation patients with mild or moderate mental illness or stress or exhaustion. The program complements standard cardiac rehabilitation with additional psychological and exercise interventions and follows the framework of cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation formulated by the German Pension Insurance [Cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation is conducted as a group program, i.e., 8–12 patients who begin the rehabilitation program at the same time complete five specific additional cognitive-behavioral components together. Table A detailed description of the psychological group can be found in Benninghoven et al. [
Components of the cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation programDuring the admission interview, anamnestic information (including contextual factors such as family, work, and biography) as well as the experience of illness and illness behavior are recorded, and the expectations of the rehabilitation patients are clarified.In addition, at the end of rehabilitation, mental disorders are assessed with a standardized short interview in order to specify further treatment recommendations.The following topics will be covered in the two sessions.Session 1: Structure and function of the heart and cardiovascular system; function of the autonomic nervous system and the hormonal system.Session 2: Control function of the brain and influence of the emotional state; influence of lifestyle and attitude changes on physical processes, especially on the cardiovascular system.