Intensive care diaries reduce new onset post traumatic stress disorder following critical illness: a randomised, controlled trial

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Jones, C (Author) Other; Backman, C (Author) Other; Capuzzo, M (Author) Other; Egerod, I (Author) Other; Flaatten, H (Author) Other; Granja C (Author) FMUP; Rylander, C (Author) Other; Griffiths, RD (Author) Other; RACHEL group, T (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Critical Care

Vol. 14

Final page: R168

ISSN: 1364-8535

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 329 Citations

Scopus - 377 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-AHC

DOI: 10.1186/cc9260

Abstract (EN): Introduction: Patients recovering from critical illness have been shown to be at risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD). This study was to evaluate whether a prospectively collected diary of a patient's intensive care unit (ICU) stay when used during convalescence following critical illness will reduce the development of new onset PTSD. Methods: Intensive care patients with an ICU stay of more than 72 hours were recruited to a randomised controlled trial examining the effect of a diary outlining the details of the patients ICU stay on the development of acute PTSD. The intervention patients received their ICU diary at 1 month following critical care discharge and the final assessment of the development of acute PTSD was made at 3 months. Results: 352 patients were randomised to the study at 1 month. The incidence of new cases of PTSD was reduced in the intervention group compared to the control patients (5% versus 13%, P = 0.02). Conclusions: The provision of an ICU diary is effective in aiding psychological recovery and reducing the incidence of new PTSD.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10