Recovering Together After Cardiac Arrest: a mind-body resilience program for survivors and caregivers.
Development of a Dyadic Mind-body Program for Cardiac Arrest Survivors and Their Caregivers: Recovering Together After Cardiac Arrest (RT-CA).
This project will try two brief mind-body programs to help cardiac arrest survivors and their caregivers reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 84 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07143357 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized controlled trial will enroll 42 survivor-caregiver dyads (84 participants) at Massachusetts General Hospital to test feasibility and acceptability of two versions of the Recovering Together after Cardiac Arrest program. Dyads will be randomized to RT-CA 1, which delivers six 30-minute weekly sessions beginning at bedside and continuing via Zoom after discharge, or RT-CA 2, a single 30-minute bedside session. Participants will complete psychosocial measures at baseline, six weeks, and three months and outcomes will be compared to predefined feasibility and acceptability benchmarks. The data will be used to refine the interventions for a larger trial.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking adult cardiac arrest survivors with an identified informal caregiver, sufficient cognitive function (short MMSE >5), and at least one dyad member showing clinically significant emotional distress on screening.
Not a fit: Patients with active psychosis, mania, substance dependence, suicidal intent, or other psychiatric or neurological conditions that preclude meaningful participation are unlikely to benefit from these interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these programs could reduce anxiety and depression and improve coping and resilience for both survivors and caregivers during recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Related mind-body and resilience interventions for ICU survivors and caregiver dyads have shown promising feasibility and symptom improvements, but this specific Recovering Together program for cardiac arrest survivors is being piloted.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Out-of-hospital or in-hospital CA survivor (must have new diagnosis of "cardiac arrest" in electronic medical record from index hospitalization with documented loss of pulse) with an identified caregiver (identified by the survivor who is their primary source of emotional and functional support) 2. survivor must score \>5 on Short Form of the Mini Mental State Exam for sufficient cognitive function for meaningful participation 3. ability and willingness to participate in a hybrid in-person/live video intervention 4. English speaking adults (18 year or older) 5. at least one member of the dyad endorses clinically significant emotional distress during screening (\>7 on either of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale subscales). Exclusion Criteria: 1. active psychosis, mania, substance dependence, or suicidal intent or plan that would require a higher level of care 2. any other psychiatric or neurological condition that would preclude meaningful participation 3. the caregiver must not be a cardiac arrest survivor
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alexander Presciutti, PhD
- Email: apresciutti@mgh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-726-7913
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.