Results from first-of-its-kind mental health intervention for adults with CHD
Mindfulness-based interventions have been widely recognized for their effectiveness in managing stress, anxiety and depression, so the team set out to specifically design the virtual EMBRACE program for adults with CHD. It’s the first of its kind for this population.
A first-of-its-kind virtual, real-time group psychosocial intervention successfully demonstrated the promise of mindfulness interventions to address mental health challenges in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD).
The findings from a small pilot study of the Exploring Mind-Body Resilience and Coping/Cognitive Exercises (EMBRACE) program were published in the journal Pediatric Cardiology.
What this means
The study included 31 participants ranging in age from 22 to 74 years old. Collectively the group had a variety of heart conditions involving 47 heart surgeries, seven pacemakers and one implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Participants showed meaningful improvements after the EMBRACE intervention in anxiety, depression, resilience and mindfulness scores. Also, satisfaction surveys showed that 97% found the program effective. These improvements lasted through a three-month follow-up period.
“What I gained the most from this study was learning that my emotions/feelings did not have to control my life,” says study participant Tabatha Doherty. “The program taught techniques that focused on keeping your mind in the present and not getting caught up in those feelings.”
Additionally, people who participated reported several positive qualitative outcomes, including better community connections and improved focus on self-care and self-management.
“It was impactful to be in a cohort with other patients where we could talk, share stories, offer support, and work towards a common, yet individual, goal of being able to manage daily and CHD-related stressors,” Doherty continued. “It is very rare that CHD patients have the opportunity to interact with each other, but even more rare to have an opportunity to cooperate towards a common goal.”
Why it matters
The authors write that the lifetime prevalence of anxiety and depression in adults with congenital heart disease are significantly higher than the general population – occurring in up to 30 to 50% of adults with CHD versus only 7 to 10% in the general population.
Mindfulness-based interventions have been widely recognized for their effectiveness in managing stress, anxiety and depression, so the team set out to specifically design the virtual EMBRACE program for adults with CHD. It’s the first of its kind for this population.
The study sought to improve mental health, resilience and coping skills for people with CHD while demonstrating feasibility for a large number of people.
“The most comforting aspect was the acknowledgement and validation of the mental health struggles I’ve had my entire life,” Doherty says. “The statistics they shared were not surprising, but more proof/recognition of the CHD patient’s silent struggles.”
What’s next
The program will be adjusted based on feedback from the pilot cohort and further studies will be undertaken to gauge sustainability and long-term benefits.
The work was made possible through a grant from the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) with generous support from the Meil Family Foundation.
“ACHA is proud to support groundbreaking research initiatives though our Research Program that began in 2019,” says Mark Roeder, president and CEO of ACHA. “Vicki Freedenberg, PhD, RN was awarded the Meil Family Foundation Research Award for Neurocognitive Studies in 2022. This first-of-its-kind mindfulness-based program for adults with CHD demonstrated meaningful improvements in anxiety, depression, resilience, and self-care – highlighting the critical role of mental health interventions in the CHD population.”
Roeder continued, “The EMBRACE study not only addresses the physical realities of living with CHD but also elevates the importance of mental and emotional well-being, something that ACHA will also continue to promote through our educational programming.”
Before publication in Pediatric Cardiology, the data from EMBRACE was presented as a poster at the American College of Cardiology ACC.24 meeting. Additionally, program and study co-author Rachel Steury, NP, was awarded Best Allied Health Research for this work at the International Society of ACHD in June 2024.
Read EMBRACE Study: Outcomes of a Randomized, Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease in Pediatric Cardiology.
