Clinical Report: Evaluation of PICU Diaries and Their Impact on Parental PTSD Symptoms
Overview
This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates the feasibility of implementing PICU diaries and their psychological effects on parents of critically ill children. Preliminary findings indicate a 12.7% prevalence of suspected PTSD among parents six months post-discharge, with higher rates observed in mothers compared to fathers.
Background
Parents of children in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) face significant psychological distress, with PTSD affecting a substantial proportion. This study contributes to the limited quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of such interventions in pediatric settings.
Data Highlights
Outcome
Intervention Group (IG)
Control Group (CG)
Suspected PTSD Prevalence
14.5% (10/69)
11.1% (9/81)
Dropout Rate to T1
4.7%
N/A
Retention Rate to T2
95.5%
N/A
PTSD in Mothers
18.5%
N/A
PTSD in Fathers
5.8%
N/A
Key Findings
104 out of 149 eligible families consented to participate, achieving a 69.8% recruitment rate.
The dropout rate until PICU discharge was 4.7%, indicating high retention during the intervention.
12.7% of parents screened positive for suspected PTSD six months post-discharge.
PTSD prevalence was higher in mothers (18.5%) compared to fathers (5.8%).
Parents with suspected PTSD exhibited lower resilience scores.
Clinical Implications
The study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating PICU diaries into routine care, with high recruitment and retention rates.
Conclusion
This pilot study provides insights into the implementation of PICU diaries and preliminary findings regarding parental PTSD symptoms.
