Registration until 31 March
Mental health is an integral part of overall care in Cystic Fibrosis. The day-to-day management of a chronic disease can come with significant psychological challenges for both patients and their caregivers.
For this reason, the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association is implementing a three-year clinical study from the beginning of 2026 to evaluate the effectiveness of an online group psychological support program based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
The study is coordinated by the volunteer psychologist Dr. Dipl.-Psych. Stavroula Rakitsi, in collaboration with the volunteer psychologist Irini Pavlidis, and is a continuation of the “Unlimited Breath” project, which is being implemented by Ms Rakitsi at the Association since 2022. More here.
Meetings of the first clinical study groups conclude on Saturday 11 April 2026.
New cycle of groups – from April 2026
On Saturday 25 April 2026, new groups of the clinical trial with new participants start with a duration of 3 months.
- The new groups are aimed at Cystic Fibrosis patients (transplanted and non-transplanted) and caregivers of Cystic Fibrosis patients (parents, partners, etc.).
- Meetings are held once a week online via Zoom and each meeting lasts 90 minutes.
- Participants are randomly allocated either to the treatment group with Ms.Stavroula Rakitsi or to the control group with Ms.Rena Pavlidi, according to the protocol of the clinical study.
Participation contributes not only to the personal psychological empowerment of participants, but also to the scientific understanding of mental health in Cystic Fibrosis, helping to improve community support in the future.
Participants in the groups have the opportunity to:
- empower themselves and better manage the challenges of everyday life
- connect with people who understand them and not feel lonely
- receive free specialised psychological support
- contribute to scientific knowledge about Cystic Fibrosis
New Groups Programme – duration: 3 months
Every Saturday – CBT therapy groups with Mrs Stavroula Rakitzi – starting Saturday 25 April 2026
– 09:30-11:00: Carers
– 11:15-12:45: Patients
Every Wednesday – Control Groups with Mrs Irini Pavlidis – starting Wednesday 29 April 2026
– 18:00-19:30: Patients
– 20:00-21:30: Caregivers
How can I participate in the new clinical study groups?
Those interested can register for the new groups by filling in the form:
➡ https://www.cysticfibrosis.gr/dilosi-symmetochis-omades-psychologikis-ypostirixis/
Deadline for registration: until Tuesday 31 March 2026
After the submission of the application form, Ms Stavroula Rakitzi will contact you for the inclusion process in the study, which includes information about the study protocol, signing the written consent and completing the evaluation questionnaires.
Stable Psychological Support Groups (for participants of previous cycles)
At the same time, the stable psychological support groups with psychologist Irene Pavlidis continue, which are addressed to patients and caregivers who have already completed a cycle of treatment with Mrs Stavroula Rakitzis in previous years.
– Patients: every Monday, 18:00-19:00
– Caregivers: every Monday, 19:30-20:30
These groups are exclusively for people who have already participated in previous treatment cycles.
Participants in the 2026 clinical study groups will have the opportunity to participate in the stable psychological support groups with Ms.Pavlidi Irini from January 2027 onwards, in order to ensure the proper conduct and scientific reliability of the clinical study.
A programme with scientific recognition
The psychological support program “Unlimited Breath” is an important initiative for the empowerment of the Cystic Fibrosis community in Greece with the voluntary coordination of Ms Stavroula Rakitzis.
The results of the previous cycles of the program are presented every year by Mrs.Stavroula Rakitsi at the annual Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Conference, while recently they have been published in an international scientific journal:
Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
Rakitzi, S., Spinou, A. & Giannaki, K.
The Effectiveness of an Online Group Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association in Patients and Caregivers.
See the publication here:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-025-00611-3
More information about the programme: https://www.cysticfibrosis.gr/draseis/programma-psychokoinonikis-ypostirixis-aperioristi-anasa/#psihologiki-ipostiriksi
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The psychological support programme “Breathless Breath” is dedicated to the memory of Anne. The project is dedicated to the memory of the Association’s Treasurer Despina Gini, who supported it with all her heart and soul from its first steps to its development into a clinical study.
