Psychological aspects in neuromuscular patients: case series

The management of patients with neuromuscular diseases requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates medical care with targeted psychological support. Respiratory difficulties, often treated with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) are accompanied by mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, which can compromise treatment adherence and quality of life. In our Unit, we performed psychological assessment from the first visit, using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scale to evaluate the patients, and initiate where necessary, psychological support, also via telemedicine. 

We present four representative clinical cases including Giovanni, with Bethlem myopathy who exhibited resistance to NIV linked to feelings of anger and frustration; Luisa, with Steinert’s disease who experienced relational rejection that undermined her self-esteem; Maria, also with Steinert’s disease who expressed anticipatory anxiety over the loss of autonomy; and Lorenzo, with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who faced social isolation and resistance to ventilation by finding confort in music. 

In all cases, psychological support led to reduced BDI scores and an improvement in treatment adherence. These results highlight the clinical efficacy of structured psychological integration within multidisciplinary teams. However, scientific literature still needs more controlled studies to confirm these results. We emphasize the importance of a holistic approach that equally takes into account the physical and psychological health of patients with neuromuscular diseases.