What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 111 patients with anxiety. The study was sponsored by Duke University and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
Researchers followed patients through treatment and into recovery, tracking the outcomes that mattered most for the disease being studied.
What the results showed
Family members using the app saw a 6.6-point greater improvement in unmet needs scores after three days.
JAMA network open · 2024 · NCT03506438
These findings — that families using the app had fewer unmet support needs by day three — were published in the JAMA network open and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 111 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with anxiety, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This was a research study and ICUconnect is not yet widely available. The findings showed promise for White families but the app did not help Black families as much, which needs to be addressed. If your loved one is in the ICU, ask the medical team about palliative care support and resources for family members.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open anxiety trials
Multidimensional Sleep Health Intervention to Optimize Concussion Recovery
Following adolescent concussion, poor sleep health is common and relates to the development of persisting post-concussion symptoms, and uninjured adolescents (independent of concussion) also commonly experience sleep insufficiency. Given the sparse guidance that exists for clinicians to provide evidence-based sleep health recommendations for adolescents with a concussion, the primary objectives of this prospective randomized clinical trial of adolescents with a recent concussion are to discover if a multidimensional and prescriptive sleep health intervention leads to: 1) faster symptom resolution time, better sleep quality, or longer sleep duration; and 2) improved sleep habits, mental health, or academic engagement, relative to standard-of-care post-concussion sleep health guidance. Findings from this research will provide the basis for more precise sleep health recommendations for adolescents who experience a concussion.
Using Mindfulness in an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol to Support Recovery After Colorectal Surgery
This study teaches participants who are having colorectal surgery how to use mindfulness to feel calmer and manage pain better. Participants will be randomized (like a flip of a coin) into one of two groups: Mindfulness Intervention or Standard Treatment. Those in the Mindfulness group will have a 30-minute Zoom session before surgery to learn simple mindfulness exercises like deep breathing, using senses, and staying focused on the present. On the day after surgery, participants will watch a short video review of the mindfulness exercises. Regardless of the group assigned, participants may be asked to complete questionnaires, and some participants will be asked to complete a semi-structured interview via Zoom, about 2 weeks to 1 month after surgery. Additionally, access to the mindfulness curriculum will be provided to those not randomized to that group. Investigators will collect information such as age, surgery details, pain levels, and pain medication usage. Participants will also fill out surveys before and after surgery to assess physical and mental well-being. All personal information will be kept safe, and interviews or Zoom sessions will be deleted after notes are taken without names attached. Participants will be in this study for about 4 weeks.