[Evolution of psychological pattern during rehabilitation in a group of patients with recent myocardial infarction (author's transl)].

The aim of this study was to verify the evolution of the psychological characteristics of a group of patients with recent myocardial infarction, during a supervised physical training procedure. The study group consisted of 70 males, aged from 35 to 65 (mean 50 +/- 9). Every patient underwent a psychometric test battery before and after his rehabilitation program. The following tests were used: - Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 16 Personality Factors Inventory - IPAT Anxiety Scale - Eysenck Personality Inventory. No patient had psychotherapic nor pharmacological treatment. Comparing the test results before and after training, a significant reduction of deviances from normal patterns was found. A clear trend towards normal values of both high and low scores was found after rehabilitation. Our data are in agreement with the concept that a supervised physical training program is able to promote psychological benefits in patients with recent myocardial infarction. These benefits can be summarized both in stronger emotional stability and in better adaptative capability. This makes their return to normal life easier.