A mind-body resilience intervention for emotional distress in cardiac arrest survivors and their informal caregivers - Recovering together after cardiac arrest: Protocol for an open pilot trial.

Abstract

Background: Chronic emotional distress among cardiac arrest (CA) survivors and their caregivers is prevalent and worsens quality of life and recovery. Interventions to prevent chronic distress post-CA are needed. We developed Recovering Together after Cardiac Arrest (RT-CA), an intervention to increase resiliency in CA survivor-caregiver dyads (pairs).

Method: We will conduct an open pilot clinical trial of RT-CA to examine preliminary feasibility and refine the intervention based on participant feedback. We will enroll at least 7 CA survivor-caregiver dyads during their hospitalization at a single academic medical center. We will identify eligible survivors by screening admission reports and through referrals from medical staff. Inclusion criteria: Survivors - sufficient cognitive status to meaningfully participate (Short Form of the Mini Mental State Exam ≥5). Dyads - English-speakers; one member must have clinically significant distress (≥8 on either Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale subscale). Procedure: dyads will participate in 6, 30-45 min sessions with a study clinician. Sessions will include mind-body coping skills training and provision of anticipatory guidance and resources to navigate CA-survivorship. Dyads will complete pre- and post-test measures of emotional distress and treatment targets. We will calculate frequencies and proportions of our primary outcomes (feasibility - recruitment, assessments, adherence, therapist fidelity and acceptability/credibility). After completing post-test assessments, dyads will provide feedback via exit interviews. We will integrate qualitative and quantitative data using explanatory-sequential mixed-methods.

Discussion: We will use our findings to refine RT-CA content and study procedures. If successful, RT-CA has potential to significantly improve quality of survivorship for CA survivors and their caregivers.