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Mindfulness-based emotional regulation for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: A randomized pilot study of efficacy, applicability, and safety
, 2, 3
Affiliations- Faculty of Medicine. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
- Liaison and Psychotherapy Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
- Arrhythmia Unit, Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
Background: The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce anxiety or improve quality of
life (QoL) in patients with cardiac pathologies is well established. However, there is scarce information
on the efficacy, applicability, and safety of these interventions in adult patients with an implantable
cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). In this study, we examined their efficacy on QoL, psychological and
biomedical variables, as well as the applicability and safety of a mindfulness-based intervention in
patients with an ICD.
Methods: Ninety-six patients with an ICD were randomized into two intervention groups and a control
group. The interventions involved training in mindfulness-based emotional regulation, either face-to-
-face or using the “REM Volver a casa” mobile phone application (app).
Results: The sample presented medium-high QoL baseline scores (mean: 68), low anxiety (6.84) and
depression (3.89), average mindfulness disposition (128), and cardiological parameters similar to other
ICD populations. After the intervention, no significant differences were found in the variables studied
between the intervention and control groups. Retention was average (59%), and there were no adverse
effects due to the intervention.
Conclusions: After training in mindfulness-based emotional regulation (face-to-face or via app), no
significant differences were found in the QoL or psychological or biomedical variables in patients with
an ICD. The intervention proved to be safe, with 59% retention.
Abstract
Background: The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce anxiety or improve quality of
life (QoL) in patients with cardiac pathologies is well established. However, there is scarce information
on the efficacy, applicability, and safety of these interventions in adult patients with an implantable
cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). In this study, we examined their efficacy on QoL, psychological and
biomedical variables, as well as the applicability and safety of a mindfulness-based intervention in
patients with an ICD.
Methods: Ninety-six patients with an ICD were randomized into two intervention groups and a control
group. The interventions involved training in mindfulness-based emotional regulation, either face-to-
-face or using the “REM Volver a casa” mobile phone application (app).
Results: The sample presented medium-high QoL baseline scores (mean: 68), low anxiety (6.84) and
depression (3.89), average mindfulness disposition (128), and cardiological parameters similar to other
ICD populations. After the intervention, no significant differences were found in the variables studied
between the intervention and control groups. Retention was average (59%), and there were no adverse
effects due to the intervention.
Conclusions: After training in mindfulness-based emotional regulation (face-to-face or via app), no
significant differences were found in the QoL or psychological or biomedical variables in patients with
an ICD. The intervention proved to be safe, with 59% retention.
Keywords
quality of life, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, emotional regulation, mindfulness, anxiety
About this articleTitle
Mindfulness-based emotional regulation for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: A randomized pilot study of efficacy, applicability, and safety
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original Article
Pages
401-410
Published online
2021-08-17
Page views
2307
Article views/downloads
560
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Cardiol J 2023;30(3):401-410.
Keywords
quality of life
implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
emotional regulation
mindfulness
anxiety
Authors
Santiago Montero Ruiz
Beatriz Rodríguez Vega
Carmen Bayón Pérez
Rafael Peinado Peinado
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