Remotely delivered mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for spontaneous coronary artery dissection survivors.
Christina M. Luberto, Maria Lopes, Joanna G Cloutier, Daniel L. Hall, Malissa Wood, Zev Schuman-Olivier, Bettina B. Hoeppner, Elyse R Park
Translational Behavioral Medicine January 16, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibaf064 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-arm feasibility study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) survivors recruited from a hospital clinic (94% female, 95% non-Hispanic White, mean age 51) |
| Interventions | mindfulness meditation and health behavior promotion |
| Duration | 8-week group intervention; surveys and 7-day actigraphy/daily diaries pre- and post-intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Scad Heart disease Intervention adaptation Mental health Telehealth |
| Registration | NCT04983680 |
| Key points | In this single-arm feasibility study, adding boundaries around group discussion of SCAD stories raised retention from 33% in the first cohort to 90% in the second. Among 12 retained participants, satisfaction averaged 8.3/10, 91% (10/11) would recommend the program, and fear of recurrence improved with a medium-large effect size (d = 0.72). The authors conclude results support feasibility, acceptability, and benefits of the MBCT group approach and the need for expanded testing. |
Abstract
After spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), 80% of survivor's experience fear of recurrence (FOR) which contributes to poorer clinical outcomes. Although FOR interventions (i.e. mindfulness-based cognitive therapy; MBCT) exist, none have been targeted to SCAD survivors. To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary FOR effects of MBCT for SCAD survivors (UpBeat-MBCT). In this single-arm feasibility study, SCAD survivors were recruited from a hospital clinic to participate in UpBeat-MBCT, an 8-week group intervention combining cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, and health behavior promotion. Participants completed surveys of psychological and behavioral variables pre-post intervention, actigraphy, and daily diaries of sleep and physical activity for 7 days pre-post intervention. The primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability. Exploratory outcomes included changes in psychological and behavioral variables. SCAD survivors (N = 19) were enrolled across two sequential group cohorts (94% female, 95% non-Hispanic White, Mage = 51). In Cohort 1, results indicated that hearing about SCAD from others was emotionally activating and associated with high attrition (33% retained). Refinements for Cohort 2 included placing boundaries around group discussion, and 90% of participants were retained. Among retained participants across both cohorts (n = 12), program satisfaction was M = 8.3/10 (SD = 1.8), 91% (10/11) would recommend the program, and changes in FOR showed a medium-large effect size for improvement (d = 0.72). UpBeat-MBCT is the first FOR intervention for SCAD survivors. When boundaries are set to guide discussion of SCAD, results support the feasibility, acceptability, and benefits of an MBCT group approach and the need for expanded testing. The Clinical Trials Registration #: NCT04983680.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 17
- The mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy adherence scale: inter‐rater reliability, adherence to protocol and treatment distinctiveness Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy March 1, 2002
- Training Teachers to Deliver Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Learning from the UK Experience Mindfulness April 26, 2010
- Mindfulness meditation and physical activity: Evidence from 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Health Psychology September 20, 2018
- The Efficacy and Durability of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine May 1, 2025
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus treatment as usual after non-remission with NHS Talking Therapies high-intensity psychological therapy for depression: a UK-based clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness randomised, controlled, superiority trial. The Lancet Psychiatry June 1, 2025
and 12 more in the library