The goal of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of an informational website to reduce uncertainty, psychological distress, and caregiver burden among close family members of cardiac arrest patients. The investigators hypothesize that participants who receive access to the website will have lower rates of uncertainty, psychological distress, and caregiver burden at 3 months post-hospital discharge compared to participants who receive usual care.
This study will be an unblinded, two-arm randomized controlled trial that enrolls up to 100 adult surrogates of living cardiac arrest patients hospitalized in the New York Presbyterian hospital system. Participants must be English- or Spanish-speaking and have a device with internet access. Participants will be randomized 2:1 to receive the informational intervention program or usual care (control). Intervention arm participants will receive the informational intervention in three discrete packages upon study enrollment, movement to the general medical floor, and at one month post-discharge. All participants will be assessed at study enrollment, hospital discharge, and 3 months post-discharge for their illness uncertainty, psychological distress, and caregiver burden. All participants will also wear a GENEActiv sleep monitor to track their sleep for one week following hospital discharge.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
53
This intervention contains many informational articles for surrogates about cardiac arrest, the subsequent hospitalization, and the emotional journey following cardiac arrest. All articles are available in both English and Spanish.
Columbia University Medical Center/New York Presbyterian
New York, New York, United States
Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale Score - Family Member Form
This metric is a 31-item scale measuring surrogates' self-reported uncertainty related to their loved one's cardiac arrest. Participants will be asked to answer from a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being 'Strongly Disagree' and 5 being 'Strongly Agree.' The scale will be scored out of 155. A higher score indicates a greater level of uncertainty.
Time frame: Data was collected at study enrollment in the ICU (baseline), at hospital discharge (approximately 21 days after baseline), and 3 months post-hospital discharge. The data at 3 months post-discharge is reported
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) Score
This metric is a 20-item measure of self-reported post-traumatic stress symptoms as defined by the DSM-5. Participants will be asked to score their answer from 0 to 4, 0 being 'Not at all,' and 4 being 'Extremely.' The total score will be out of 80. A higher score indicates more severe PTSD symptoms.
Time frame: Data was collected at study enrollment in the ICU (baseline), at hospital discharge (approximately 21 days after baseline), and 3 months post-hospital discharge. The data at 3 months post-discharge is reported
Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire Score - Fear Subscale
This 8-item metric measures surrogates' self-reported fear of their loved one's cardiac-related stimuli and sensations due to perceived negative consequences. Participants will be asked to rank answers from 1 to 5, 1 being 'Never' and 5 being 'Always.' The total will be out of 40. A higher score indicates more fear and worry related to the heart.
Time frame: Data was collected at hospital discharge (approximately 21 days after baseline) and 3 months post-hospital discharge. The data at 3 months post-discharge is reported
Zarit Burden Interview 12-item Short Form Score
This 12-item metric measures surrogates' self-reported caregiver burden. Participants will be asked to score their answers from 0 to 4, 0 being "Never," and 4 being "Always." The total score is taken out of 48. A higher total score indicates a greater degree of caregiver burden.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: At 3 months post-discharge.