A novel pilot study combining mindfulness and exposure therapy shows promising results in alleviating post-traumatic stress symptoms in survivors of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a leading cause of death in the United States.
This groundbreaking research, led by Dr. Maja Bergman of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, could pave the way for new treatment approaches for a group that has long lacked psychotherapeutic support.
Each year, over 356,000 Americans experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, with a staggering 90 percent fatality rate.
For the survivors, the emotional aftermath is often profound, with one in three reporting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following hospital discharge.
The importance of this issue is underscored by the associated increased risks of mortality and cardiovascular complications linked with elevated PTSD symptoms.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, is pioneering in its approach. Senior study author Dr. Yuval Neria notes that while exposure therapy is standard for PTSD, its safety and efficacy for SCA survivors, where trauma originates internally, remained unconfirmed.
To address this unique challenge, the researchers hypothesized that integrating mindfulness with exposure therapy could enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.
The resulting protocol, Acceptance and Mindfulness-Based Exposure Therapy (AMBET), was designed to cater specifically to the emotional needs of SCA patients.
The pilot study recruited a small group of 11 cardiac arrest survivors who met PTSD criteria.
Over eight weeks, participants engaged in remote 90-minute sessions of AMBET, which included elements of exposure therapy, mindfulness interventions, and cardiovascular psychoeducation.
The exposure component involved patients revisiting their traumatic cardiac arrest experiences through discussion and guided imagery, helping them confront and process these memories.
The mindfulness aspect aimed to normalize physiological stress responses linking PTSD and cardiovascular risk, focusing on internal body stimuli to promote adaptive behaviors.
The results at the end of the treatment were remarkable. A majority of the patients no longer met PTSD criteria, with an 80% significant improvement rate. The study also reported high satisfaction ratings, low dropout rates, and no adverse effects.
Notably, improvements were observed in cardiovascular health behaviors, such as better sleep quality and increased physical activity, monitored using Fitbit devices.
Dr. Bergman emphasized the study’s role in addressing a critical treatment gap for a high-risk patient population, highlighting the potential of AMBET in improving coping mechanisms and reducing cardiac-related anxiety.
Despite these promising findings, the researchers acknowledge the need for further studies to understand the specific contributions of exposure and mindfulness practices in treating SCA survivors.
Dr. Neria envisions a larger randomized controlled trial to build upon the strong results of this initial study.
In summary, this pilot study opens new avenues for treating a vulnerable group of patients, offering hope and a potential path to recovery for those grappling with the psychological aftermath of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest.
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The research findings can be found in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
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