Helping family caregivers of critically ill patients make better decisions
A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial of EMPOWER for Family Surrogates of Critically Ill Patients
This study is all about helping family caregivers of critically ill patients in ICUs, especially those from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, by offering support to ease their emotional stress and help them make tough end-of-life decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11019746 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on supporting family caregivers who are making difficult end-of-life decisions for critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). It aims to address the emotional distress and trauma that caregivers experience, particularly among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The intervention, called EMPOWER, uses cognitive-behavioral and acceptance-based techniques to enhance emotional resilience and reduce grief and trauma. By providing caregivers with effective psychological support, the research seeks to improve their decision-making process during these challenging times.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are family caregivers of critically ill patients in ICUs, especially those from BIPOC communities.
Not a fit: Patients who are not critically ill or do not have family caregivers involved in their decision-making may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the emotional well-being of family caregivers and lead to better end-of-life decisions for critically ill patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results with similar psychological interventions, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prigerson, Holly Gwen — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Prigerson, Holly Gwen
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.