Building Resilience: Evaluation of a Brief Mindfulness Program for Heart Transplant Recipients
Michelle Byard1 1Qld Health – The Prince Charles Hospital, CHERMSIDE 4032 QLD, QLD, Australia
Abstract
Patients may have successful heart transplant outcomes, but physical and psychological challenges often remain. Studies demonstrate that individuals with poor adjustment also have increased anxiety, depression, insomnia, lower quality of life with increased morbidity and mortality but few studies have evaluated interventions specific to this population. Our service aimed to address that gap through a time-limited intervention using Mindfulness practice in collaboration with a university partner.
A mindfulness program, comprising five weekly two-hour sessions, was implemented to evaluate its efficacy for heart transplant patients. Questionnaires were completed at three points in time – before, after, and eight weeks post the program to examine changes in mindfulness, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep, quality of life and resilience. Participants were also asked to practice mindfulness for 30 minutes per day and record their home practice.
Mindfulness strategies were taught to bring mindful awareness to everyday activities, allowing participants to have psychologically supportive ‘tools in their toolbox’ to use anytime, anywhere. ‘Struggle’ emerged as the dominate theme in the home journals. A second strong theme was the need for support and connection with other transplant patients. Participants reported feelings of isolation and being misunderstood and a desire for regular support platforms with other transplant patients.
The Mindfulness study provided insight into recipients very real struggle which is compounded by feelings of isolation and being misunderstood. Psychosocial support will now include a regular on-line mindfulness program; pre, post and carer support groups; trained peer supporters linking with patients; and a mindfulness resource provided at assessment.
Biography
•Michelle Lindsay Byard
•Bachelor of Social work University of Tasmania
Bachelor of Arts University of Tasmania
•Senior Social Worker
Advanced Heart Failure & Cardiac Transplant Unit
The Prince Charles Hospital
Brisbane, Queensland
•I am a social worker with over thirty years’ experience.
Most of my career has been working in tertiary hospitals.
and I have been in The Prince Charles hospital heart
transplant team for 12 years.
•I have a keen interest in ensuring patients have financial,
emotional and psychological support so that they can
reach their potential in all areas of their life.