[Group psychotherapy in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases--health and disease education in inpatient rehabilitation (author's transl)].

Psychotherapy, beside kinesitherapy, pharmacotherapy and the use of appropriate devices in cardiology, are an important and integral part of therapeutic efforts in inpatient rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases. A working pattern is suggested for the major part of psychological treatment, namely, group therapy, devised and translated into reality by a clinical psychologist for a specialised rehabilitation center. The therapeutical aims of group psychotherapy include adequate control of disease of anxiety after myocardial infarction and subsequent health training based on behaviour therapy. The different types of group therapies are described and assessed.