JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Mindfulness-based intervention is a promising complementary approach to address patients’ psychological needs and promote holistic well-being. This study aimed to examine the effects of a social media-based Mindfulness psyCho-behAvioRal intErvention (MCARE) on health outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Objective:

In this randomized clinical trial, 178 patients (58.7 ± 8.9 years, 68.5% male) with ACS were recruited at two tertiary hospitals in Jinan, China. Participants were randomly assigned to the MCARE group (n = 89) or control group (n = 89). The six-week intervention consisted of one face-to-face session (Phase I) and five weekly WeChat-delivered sessions (Phase II) on mindfulness training and health education and lifestyle modification. Primary outcomes were depression and anxiety. Secondary outcomes included psychological stress, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and cardiovascular risk factors. Outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), immediate post-intervention (T1), and 12-week after the commencement of the intervention (T2).

Methods:

In this randomized clinical trial, 178 patients (58.7 ± 8.9 years, 68.5% male) with ACS were recruited at two tertiary hospitals in Jinan, China. Participants were randomly assigned to the MCARE group (n = 89) or control group (n = 89). The six-week intervention consisted of one face-to-face session (Phase I) and five weekly WeChat-delivered sessions (Phase II) on mindfulness training and health education and lifestyle modification. Primary outcomes were depression and anxiety. Secondary outcomes included psychological stress, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and cardiovascular risk factors. Outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), immediate post-intervention (T1), and 12-week after the commencement of the intervention (T2).

Results:

The MCARE group showed significantly greater reductions in depression (T1: β = –2.016, 95% CI –2.584 to –1.449, Cohen’s d –1.28; T2: β = –2.089, 95% CI –2.777 to –1.402, Cohen’s d –1.12) and anxiety (T1: β = –1.024, 95% CI –1.551 to –0.497, Cohen’s d –0.83; T2: β = –0.932, 95% CI –1.519 to –0.346, Cohen’s d –0.70). Significantly greater improvements were also observed in psychological stress, HRQoL, dietary behavior, physical activity, and systolic blood pressure at T2.

Conclusions:

The intervention generated favorable effects on psychological distress, psychological stress, HRQoL, and several aspects of cardiovascular risk factors. Clinical Trial: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No., ChiCTR2000033526)