Brief mindfulness intervention prior to simulated central venous access device insertion: A pilot randomised feasibility study.
Critical care and resuscitation : journal of the Australasian Academy of Critical Care Medicine September 1, 2026 Denis O'Dwyer, Ashwin Subramaniam, Dean McKenzie et al.
In a pilot randomized feasibility study, ICU registrars received either a 3-minute mindfulness meditation or an active control before simulated ultrasound-guided central venous access device insertion. All feasibility thresholds were met, including 92% recruitment and 100% adherence and data completeness. Mindfulness transiently reduced heart rate and systolic blood pressure more than control, and reduced state anxiety, while post-simulation confidence was higher. However, procedural performance scores were numerically lower in the mindfulness group (total score 41.3 vs 52.0), and critical errors were more frequent (4/6 vs 1/6). The authors note wide confidence intervals and possible chance imbalance, supporting a larger trial.