title: A study of the psychological distress in family caregivers of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness during in-hospital rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study psychological distress in a sample of caregivers of patients affected by prolonged disorders of consciousness during hospital stay in the Neurorehabilitation Unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four caregivers of 22 patients affected by prolonged disorders of consciousness admitted to postacute rehabilitation center, completed self-reported questionnaires for assessment of depressive symptoms, state and trait anxiety, psychophysiological disturbances, prolonged grief disorder, psychological coping strategies, quality of perceived needs, perceived social support, and caregiver burden; at admission, and after four and eight months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At admission depressive symptoms were found in 20/24 caregivers, high levels of anxiety in 16, and relevant psychophysiological disturbances in 10 participants; eight caregivers (32%) met criteria for prolonged grief disorder. The scores on questionnaires did not differ as a function of relatives' diagnosis (vegetative state vs. minimally conscious state). The longitudinal study (n = 18) showed a progressive and statistically significant increase of "emotional burden" during the hospital stay, whereas the remaining variables did not change significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data confirmed the presence of severe psychological problems in caregivers of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness. The levels of psychological distress tend to be constant over time, while the emotional burden increases.
authors: Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Telese Terme, Telese Terme, Italy.
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Moretta
authors: Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Telese Terme, Telese Terme, Italy.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Estraneo
authors: Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Telese Terme, Telese Terme, Italy.
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: De Lucia
authors: Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Telese Terme, Telese Terme, Italy.
authors: Viviana
authors: V
authors: Cardinale
authors: Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Telese Terme, Telese Terme, Italy.
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Loreto
authors: Neuropsychology Laboratory, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy luigi.trojano@unina2.it.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Trojano
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Caregivers’ burden; disorders of consciousness; psychological distress