Open Pilot Trial of a Mind-body Program for Cardiac Arrest Survivors and Their Caregivers

Open Pilot Trial of a Dyadic Mind-body Program for Cardiac Arrest Survivors and Their Caregivers: Recovering Together After Cardiac Arrest

The purpose of this study is to pilot a mind-body intervention for cardiac arrest survivors and their informal caregivers, Recovering Together after Cardiac Arrest. The data the investigators gather in this study will be used to further refine our intervention.

The goal of this study is to refine our proposed intervention Recovering Together after Cardiac Arrest (RT-CA) through an open pilot. The investigators will deliver an open pilot of the intervention (N=5 dyads; 10 participants total) to evaluate initial feasibility and acceptability using exit interviews and pre-post assessments.

The open pilot will take place at Massachusetts General Hospital intensive care units and step-down units. Study clinicians will deliver 6, 30 minute sessions of the intervention (at bedside or on Zoom/telephone, depending on participant preference and access). All participants will complete measures at baseline, and after completion of program (6 weeks). At the completion of the program, participants will engage in an exit interview where they will provide feedback of the intervention.

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. Score ≥4 on Short Form of the Mini Mental State Exam
3. Ability and willingness to participate in a hybrid in-person/live video or phone intervention
4. English speaking adults, 18 years or older
5. At least one member of the dyad endorses clinically significant emotional distress during screening (>7 on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale subscales)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Active psychosis, mania, substance dependence, or suicidal intent or plan