The Implementation-Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Retreat for Mothers of Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Hybrid Mixed Methods Study

• Published in: Mindfulness 2024-10, Vol.15 (10), p.2503-2518
• Main Authors: Anthony, Samantha J., Selkirk, Enid K., Lin, Jia, Mitchell, Joanna, Robertson, Taylor, Donma, Ani Jamyang, Seifert-Hansen, Mirna, Telfer, Heather, Ahola Kohut, Sara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Caregivers; Child and School Psychology; Children & youth; Chronic illnesses; Cognitive Psychology; Coping; COVID-19; Families & family life; Focus groups; Heart transplants; Intervention; Mindfulness; Mothers; Original Paper; Pandemics; Parents & parenting; Pediatrics; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychology; Public Health; Social Sciences; Social support
• ISSN: 1868-8527; 1868-8535
• DOI: 10.1007/s12671-024-02445-z

Objectives This pilot hybrid study aimed to evaluate the implementation-effectiveness of a mindfulness-based retreat (MBR) for mothers of pediatric heart transplant (HTx) recipients. Method The study used a convergent parallel mixed methods design. A purposive sample of 16 mothers was recruited from the Heart Transplant Program of a leading Canadian pediatric healthcare institution. A 2-day MBR was piloted at a local resort and mindfulness sessions were facilitated by two trained professionals with expertise working with families of children with chronic illness. Implementation outcomes assessed included feasibility, adoption, acceptability, appropriateness, and fidelity. Five standardized questionnaires were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the MBR on psychological wellbeing at baseline (T1), post-MBR (T2), and 3 months post-MBR (T3): Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP), Distress Tolerance Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Pediatric Quality of Life Family Impact Module. Focus groups and individual interviews ( n  = 16) were completed. Results The MBR was considered feasible, adoptable, acceptable, and appropriate by participants. Questionnaire scores were improved for the FFMQ ( p  = 0.022, d  = 0.48), CHIP (family integration subscale; p  = 0.033, d  = 0.50), and MSPSS (family domain subscale; p  = 0.025, d  = 0.23) at T3 and were supported by qualitative findings. Significant changes were observed mostly between T1 and T3, reflecting that improvements have the potential to be sustained post-MBR. Measurements of fidelity suggest that the MBR was implemented as intended. Conclusions A larger MBR trial with a control comparison to explore health outcomes, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in parents of children with chronic illness is warranted. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.