Behavioural intervention in the rehabilitation of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases

Abstract

Starting point: Behavioral medicine represents an interdisciplinary approach based on the bio-psycho-social model, integrating knowledge from behavioral, psychosocial, and biomedical sciences to optimize the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases.

Objective: The aim of this article is to map the historical development of behavioral medicine and highlight its significance and integration into rehabilitation programs for patients with cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.

Methods: This review study is based on the analysis and synthesis of scientific knowledge on behavioral and psychophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of chronic diseases.

Results: The review illustrates how the theoretical foundations of behavioral medicine have been transformed into concrete rehabilitation strategies that support treatment adherence, modification of risk behaviors, and improvement of quality of life in patients with chronic diseases.

Conclusions: Behavioral medicine represents a modern and effective approach that extends traditional medical paradigms toward a holistic understanding of health and disease. It emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and supports the systematic integration of behavioral strategies into programs of secondary and tertiary prevention for patients with cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.