Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Telephone-based Mindfulness Training Intervention for Survivors of Critical Illness

Authors

Christopher E. Cox
Laura S. Porter
Pamela J. Buck
Mary Hoffa
Derek Jones
Brenda Walton
Catherine L. Hough
Jeffrey M. Greeson, Rowan UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Version Deposited

Accepted for publication (PostPrint)

Publication Date

2-2014

Publication Title

Annals of the American Thoracic Association

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.201308-283OC

Abstract

Rationale: Persistent symptoms of psychological distress represent an unmet need among intensive care unit (ICU) survivors.

Objectives: We aimed to develop and pilot test a simple telephone-based mindfulness training intervention to address this population’s unique needs.

Methods: Open trial involving survivors of medical and surgical critical illness and their informal caregivers, using a pretest–posttest design.

Measurements and Main Results: We developed a six-session, telephone-delivered, ICU survivor–specific mindfulness intervention based on past focus groups, the medical literature, and the precedent of the most effective components of existing mindfulness programs. A total of 11 survivors of mechanical ventilation were enrolled, together with 2 informal caregivers for exploratory purposes. Three patients dropped out before intervention initiation because of progressive illness or severe social stressors. Of the 10 remaining participants, 8 (80%) completed the program within 7 weeks. Among these eight patients and caregivers who completed all study procedures, six (75%) experienced improvement in symptoms of psychological distress (anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder). Changes in distress symptoms were correlated with improvement in mindfulness qualities, adaptive coping, and emotion regulation. Participants reported high satisfaction with the program in postintervention interviews.

Conclusions: A new ICU survivor–specific mindfulness training intervention delivered by telephone was acceptable and feasible. Changes in symptoms of distress were correlated with changes in skills that were targeted by the mindfulness program. Controlled trials are needed to further evaluate this promising intervention.

Comments

Author manuscript from PubMed Central.

PMCID: PMC3972971

Recommended Citation

Cox, C. E., Porter, L. S., Buck, P. J., Hoffa, M., Jones, D., Walton, B., . . . Greeson, J. M. (2014). Development and preliminary evaluation of a telephone-based mindfulness training intervention for survivors of critical illness. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 11(2), 173-181.