PTSD in Family Members of ICU Patients Clinical Trial
Official title:
Liberalization of Visiting Policies in ICU for Reducing High Risk of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Family Members.
This was a cluster randomized study of an ICU level intervention to reduce high risk of
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in family members of ICU patients.
Participating ICUs had restrictive visiting policies (i.e., <6 hours/day) before
randomization.
After an observational period and a washout period, participating ICUs were randomized either
to maintain their visiting policies or to liberalize their visiting policies (24 hours a day,
7 days a week.)
Family members of ICU patients are particularly exposed to anxiety, depressive, acute stress
disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD).
It is currently unknown what type of interventions/ strategies to cope with postintensive
care syndrome family would produce the best improvement. Experts suggest that symptoms in
family members are potentially amenable to intervention by ICU staff. One intervention to
reduce PTSD could be a liberalization of the visiting hours. However, restrictions on
visiting hours in the intensive care unit (ICU) are usually adopted worldwide.
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