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Lichtenthal WG, Lief L, Rogers M, Russell D, Viola M, Winoker H, Kakarala S, Traube C, Coats T, Fadalla C, Roberts KE, Pavao M, Osso F, Brewin CR, Pan CX, Maciejewski PK, Berlin D, Pastores S, Halpern N, Vaughan SC, Cox CE, Prigerson HG. EMPOWER: A Multi-Site Pilot Trial to Reduce Distress in Surrogate Decision-Makers in the ICU. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024; 67:512-524.e2. [PMID: 38479536 PMCID: PMC11110718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Efforts to reduce the psychological distress of surrogate decision-makers of critically ill patients have had limited success, and some have even exacerbated distress. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of EMPOWER (Enhancing and Mobilizing the POtential for Wellness and Resilience), an ultra-brief (∼2-hour), 6-module manualized psychological intervention for surrogates. METHODS Surrogates who reported significant anxiety and/or an emotionally close relationship with the patient (n=60) were randomized to receive EMPOWER or enhanced usual care (EUC) at one of three metropolitan hospitals. Participants completed evaluations of EMPOWER's acceptability and measures of psychological distress pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at 1- and 3-month follow-up assessments. RESULTS Delivery of EMPOWER appeared feasible, with 89% of participants completing all 6 modules, and acceptable, with high ratings of satisfaction (mean=4.5/5, SD = .90). Compared to EUC, intent-to-treat analyses showed EMPOWER was superior at reducing peritraumatic distress (Cohen's d = -0.21, small effect) immediately post-intervention and grief intensity (d = -0.70, medium-large effect), posttraumatic stress (d = -0.74, medium-large effect), experiential avoidance (d = -0.46, medium effect), and depression (d = -0.34, small effect) 3 months post-intervention. Surrogate satisfaction with overall critical care (d = 0.27, small effect) was higher among surrogates randomized to EMPOWER. CONCLUSIONS EMPOWER appeared feasible and acceptable, increased surrogates' satisfaction with critical care, and prevented escalation of posttraumatic stress, grief, and depression 3 months later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy G Lichtenthal
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (W.G.L.), Miami, Florida, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (W.G.L., K.E.R., S.P., N.H.), New York, New York, USA.
| | - Lindsay Lief
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Madeline Rogers
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - David Russell
- Appalachian State University (D.R.), Boone, North Carolina, USA
| | - Martin Viola
- Harvard Medical School (M.V.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hillary Winoker
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Sophia Kakarala
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Chani Traube
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Taylor Coats
- Pacific University (T.C.), Forest Grove, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Kailey E Roberts
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (W.G.L., K.E.R., S.P., N.H.), New York, New York, USA; Yeshiva University (K.E.R.), Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Madison Pavao
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Francesco Osso
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Cynthia X Pan
- New York-Presbyterian Queens (C.X.P.), Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - David Berlin
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Stephen Pastores
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (W.G.L., K.E.R., S.P., N.H.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Neil Halpern
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (W.G.L., K.E.R., S.P., N.H.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Susan C Vaughan
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher E Cox
- Duke University School of Medicine (C.E.C.), Durham, North Carolin, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
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Verdi EK, Katz AC, Gramlich MA, Rothbaum BO, Reger GM. Impact of dissociation on exposure therapy for PTSD outcomes and Adherence among U.S. Military service members. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 166:86-91. [PMID: 37751659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Emotional engagement is necessary for successful exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but dissociation is considered a barrier to emotional engagement. Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRE) uses multi-sensory virtual environments to increase emotional engagement during exposure therapy, and average treatment outcomes are comparable to traditional exposure therapy. However, individual factors (e.g., depression) can predict differential responses to VRE. Studies have yet to investigate whether VRE would be more effective in treating patients with dissociation compared to traditional PE. This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial explores whether dissociation predicts treatment outcomes to exposure therapy among active-duty soldiers (N = 108) diagnosed with PTSD. We also examine whether individuals reporting dissociative symptoms demonstrated differential treatment responses to VRE and PE. Results indicated a significant two-way interaction between dissociation and time in treatment, such that dissociation blunted the negative relationship between time and PTSD symptoms. Dissociation was not associated with treatment session attendance or drop out. Results also revealed no significant effect of treatment group (PE or VRE) on the relationship between dissociation and PTSD symptoms. Findings contribute to a body of literature supporting the potential clinical and research utility of a dissociative subtype of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K Verdi
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division, 9600 Veterans Drive Southwest, Tacoma, WA, 98493, USA.
| | - Andrea C Katz
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division, 1660 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98174, USA.
| | - Michael A Gramlich
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division, 9600 Veterans Drive Southwest, Tacoma, WA, 98493, USA.
| | - Barbara O Rothbaum
- Emory University School of Medicine, 1648 Pierce Dr NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, USA.
| | - Greg M Reger
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division, 9600 Veterans Drive Southwest, Tacoma, WA, 98493, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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Sánchez-Puertas R, Ruisoto P, López-Núñez C, Vaca-Gallegos S. Gender Differences in Transdiagnostic Predictors of Problematic Alcohol Consumption in a Large Sample of College Students in Ecuador. Front Psychol 2022; 13:784896. [PMID: 35282216 PMCID: PMC8907652 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.784896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alcohol use is one of the main risk factors that leads to detrimental health effects and support for a transdiagnostic approach to alcohol use disorders is growing. However, the role of transdiagnostic predictors of problematic alcohol consumption in Ecuador are understudied. Objective The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in psychological stress and inflexibility as transdiagnostic predictors of problematic alcohol consumption in a large sample of college students in Ecuador. Methods A total of 7,905 college students (21.49 years, SD = 3.68; 53.75% females) were surveyed using the following standardized scales: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Perceived Stress Scale-14, and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-7). Macro Process for SPSS (models 4 and 7) was used to analyze mediation and moderation effects. Results Reported alcohol consumption was significantly higher in men than women students. On the other hand, women reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress and psychological inflexibility than men students. Gender, age, psychological stress, and inflexibility were significant predictors of alcohol consumption. Moreover, psychological inflexibility mediated the impact of stress on alcohol consumption, particularly in women (for men b = 0.065, 95% CI [0.048 to 0.083], for women b = 0.070, 95% CI [0.051 to 0.089]). Discussion Results of this study support psychological stress and psychological inflexibility as critical transdiagnostic variables related to increased rates of alcohol consumption among Ecuadorian college students. These conclusions contribute to the development of transdiagnostic comprehensive programs, which encompasses promotive, preventive, and treatment services that allow to alleviate the burden of alcohol, as well as to enrich the growing research on alcohol consumption in this population from a gender perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Sánchez-Puertas
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Psychology, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Pablo Ruisoto
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carla López-Núñez
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatments, School of Psychology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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