Phone-delivered mindfulness training for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the feasibility of a phone-delivered mindfulness intervention for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and assess its preliminary efficacy on mindfulness and anxiety.
Results Summary
The study found that mindfulness training delivered via phone improved mindfulness (statistically significant) and showed a trend toward reducing anxiety (marginally significant). Retention and attendance rates were high (93% and 94%, respectively).
Population
Clinically stable outpatients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (age 43-83; 30% women).
Effective Dosage
Eight weekly individual phone sessions.
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
phone-delivered mindfulness intervention | increase | mindfulness | patients with defibrillators | beta = 3.31; p = 0.04 | improved | #1 |
phone-delivered mindfulness intervention | decrease | anxiety | patients with defibrillators | beta = -1.15; p = 0.059 | improved | #2 |
BACKGROUND: The reduction in adrenergic activity and anxiety associated with meditation may be beneficial for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the feasibility of a phone-delivered mindfulness intervention in patients with defibrillators and to obtain preliminary indications of efficacy on mindfulness and anxiety. METHODS: Clinically stable outpatients were randomized to a mindfulness intervention (eight weekly individual phone sessions) or to a scripted follow-up phone call. We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Five Facets of Mindfulness to measure anxiety and mindfulness, and multivariate linear regression to estimate the intervention effect on pre-post-intervention changes in these variables. RESULTS: We enrolled 45 patients (23 mindfulness and 22 control; age, 43-83; 30 % women). Retention was 93 %; attendance was 94 %. Mindfulness (beta = 3.31; p = 0.04) and anxiety (beta = -1.15; p = 0.059) improved in the mindfulness group. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness training can be effectively phone-delivered and may improve mindfulness and anxiety in cardiac defibrillator outpatients.