Mindfulness-based Intervention in COPD Dyads

People affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and their family caregivers (named dyads) often suffer from psychological distress, because of the physical problems and social isolation imposed by the disease. Such psychological distress can influence the ability of patients and caregivers to manage the disease. Mindfulness-based interventions have showed benefits in improving the psychological status in various clinical situations. A 8-week mindfulness based-stress reduction intervention will be offered to a group of COPD patient-caregiver dyads and its effectiveness will be assessed comparing the effects on a control group to whom an informational intervention on stress reduction will be carried out.