Impact of ICU and post-ICU interventions on the psychological dimensions of patients' PICS: A systematic review with narrative synthesis.
Justine Cesari, Anne-Laure Poujol, Pierre-Grégoire Guinot et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined interventions aimed at improving psychological outcomes in ICU survivors, analyzing 39 studies. The review found that narrative and multimodal interventions showed consistent benefits for PTSD, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while many interventions lacked robust evidence. The study highlights the need for better-designed future research.
Key findings
- 14 studies reported improvement in at least one psychological outcome.
- 23 studies reported no benefit from the interventions.
- Narrative and multimodal interventions showed consistent benefits for PTSD and depression.
- Interventions focused on assessment and unguided self-management did not demonstrate robust evidence.
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of various interventions for ICU survivors is crucial for improving their long-term psychological health. Clinicians can use this information to guide the implementation of supportive strategies that may enhance recovery and quality of life.
What to keep in mind
The evidence was heterogeneous and methodologically fragile, with many studies lacking robust designs.