Supporting rehabilitation patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic: experiences from a technologybased psychological approach

Patients with COVID-19 experienced severe physical conditions as well as psychological difficulties. Moreover, the COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted rehabilitation programs for patients isolating them from their family and friends – that were not allowed to access hospital facilities to visit their beloved ones. Patients underwent a psychological intervention aimed at reducing distress symptoms and at favoring communication with caregivers. In particular, patients participated in videocalls via digital tablets to keep in contact with their family and friends. Through the (novel) use of technologic devices, this descriptive study aimed at reporting the most common psychological issues displayed by patients with COVID-19 during the recent pandemic in a rehabilitation Institute. Results show that symptoms of psychological distress (e.g., acute stress, depressive, anxious) were common among patients with COVID-19 in rehabilitation and were equally distributed across sex. The technology-based approach was feasible and easily integrated into the rehabilitation program. In conclusion, in this situation of emergency and isolation, technologic devices had a key role in re-establishing communication between patients and caregivers allowing to provide the so important social support resource that was lacking. Technologic devices represent useful tools that can be integrated into psychological interventions in rehabilitation contexts to promote the sychophysical health of patients and caregivers as well.