This study is a pilot clinical trial to assess the feasibility of implementing a group-psychotherapy intervention to modify emotional stress (e.g., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress) following ICU hospitalization
Psychological symptoms and emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress, are common problems among patients discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). The presence of psychological distress is associated with poor medical adherence, slower recovery, and reduced quality of life in this patient population. There is a lack of research on evidence-based interventions to address mental health symptoms in ICU patients post-hospitalization. Researchers have recently highlighted the potential utility of peer support/group interventions in the post-ICU recovery process; however, they have yet to be widely tested in interventional trials, and their feasibility and acceptability in the post-ICU population have yet to be demonstrated in a research study. Thus, the purpose of this study is to adapt and deliver a 6-session group-based psychological intervention for post-ICU patients in a single-arm, non-randomized interventional study. Patients' symptoms will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. The primary aim of the study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the group intervention in the post-ICU patient population. Secondarily, changes in patients' emotional distress will be examined to assess for the impact of the intervention on patients' symptoms.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
The intervention consists of 6, 90-minute weekly sessions and includes the following components: providing education about psychological and emotional reactions to stress, introducing and practicing coping skills (e.g., mindfulness, emotional awareness, flexible thinking, behavioral modification), decreasing psychological avoidance using emotional exposure, and facilitating group support and discussion (see De Paul \& Caver, 2021 for original protocol description).
Feasibility of recruitment
This will be determined by reporting the number of patients who meet study criteria who agreed to participate.
Time frame: Baseline
Adherence to sessions (acceptability)
This will be determined by reporting the number of intervention sessions completed by each participant.
Time frame: At 6 weeks (immediately at end of intervention sessions)
Feasibility of data collection at post-treatment
This will be determined by reporting the number of participants who provide post-treatment data.
Time frame: At 6 weeks (immediately at end of intervention sessions)
Feasibility of data collection at follow-up
This will be determined by reporting the number of participants who provide follow-up data.
Time frame: At 3 months follow-up
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
This measure assesses participants' satisfaction with the intervention (participant ratings of 1 to 4, higher scores indicate higher satisfaction).
Time frame: At 6 weeks (immediately at end of intervention sessions)
Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire
This measure assesses participants' expectations and beliefs that the intervention will be helpful (Participant ratings of 1 to 9, higher scores indicate higher beliefs that the intervention will be helpful).
Time frame: Baseline
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 (PROMIS-29)- Anxiety
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This sub-scale of the PROMIS measure assesses participants' anxiety symptoms (Participant ratings of 1 to 5, higher ratings indicate greater anxiety symptoms).
Time frame: Change from Baseline to immediately Post-Intervention (at 6 weeks), and from Baseline to to 3-months Follow-up
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 (PROMIS-29)- Depression
This sub-scale of the PROMIS measure assesses participants' depression symptoms (Participant ratings of 1 to 5, higher ratings indicate greater depression symptoms).
Time frame: Change from Baseline to immediately Post-Intervention (at 6 weeks), and from Baseline to to 3-months Follow-up
PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C)
This measure assesses participants' PTSD symptoms (Participant ratings of 1 to 5, higher ratings indicate greater PTSD symptoms).
Time frame: Change from Baseline to immediately Post-Intervention (at 6 weeks), and from Baseline to to 3-months Follow-up