[The relaxation psychotherapy of patients with cerebrovascular diseases: its efficacy and predictors]

Abstract

In order to evaluate psychological relaxation therapy (PRT) efficacy and to investigate the possibility of its prediction 52 patients with transitory cerebral vascular disorders and 72 postapoplectic patients were examined by psychological tests. A comparative analysis of the status changes in 59 patients under PRT and 65 patients without PRT, revealed improvement of psychological status in PRT patients: reduction of psychopathological symptoms and improvement of patients' psychological adaptation. According to pathopsychological tests, no influences of PRT on functions of memory and attention were found. The investigation of efficacy predictors revealed that both PRT and physical therapy are more effective in patients with moderate changes of psychological and neurological status. Lack of PRT efficacy can be predicted in patients with more marked changes of psychological status, and lack of physical therapy effectiveness can be predicted in patients with more profound asthenic manifestations which might be intensified under physical therapy with sedative effect.