Key result
The WE BEAT telemedicine psychoeducation program increased resiliency (d = 0.44) and reduced depressive symptoms (d = 0.36) in adolescents with Fontan-palliated congenital heart disease.
Why the study?
The feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a novel group-based telemedicine psychoeducation programme aimed at supporting psychological well-being among adolescents with Fontan-palliated CHD had not been established.
Does a 5-week telemedicine psychoeducation programme improve resilience and psychological well-being in adolescents with Fontan-palliated CHD?
Does a 5-week telemedicine psychoeducation programme improve resilience and psychological well-being in adolescents with Fontan-palliated CHD?
Supports telemedicine psychoeducation development for Fontan adolescents; leaves open efficacy and requires randomized trials.
Objective(s): To examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a novel group-based telemedicine psychoeducation programme aimed at supporting psychological well-being among adolescents with Fontan-palliated CHD. Study design: A 5-week telemedicine psychoeducation group-based programme (WE BEAT) was developed for adolescents ( N = 20; 13–18 years) with Fontan-palliated CHD aimed at improving resiliency and psychological well-being. Outcome measures included surveys of resilience (Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale), benefit finding (Benefit/Burden Scale for Children), depression, anxiety, peer relationships, and life satisfaction (National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scales). Within-subject changes in these outcomes were compared pre- to post-intervention using Cohen’s d effect size. In addition, acceptability in the form of satisfaction measures and qualitative feedback was assessed. Results: Among eligible patients reached, 68% expressed interest in study participation. Of those consented, 77% have been scheduled for a group programme to date with 87% programme completion. Twenty adolescents ( mean age 16.1 ± SD 1.6 years) participated across five WE BEAT group cohorts (range: 3–6 participants per group). The majority (80%) attended 4–5 sessions in the 5-session programme, and the median programme rating was a 9 out of 10 (10 = most favourable rating). Following WE BEAT participation, resiliency ( d = 0.44) and perceptions of purpose in life increased ( d = 0.26), while depressive symptoms reduced ( d = 0.36). No other changes in assessed outcome measures were noted. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary support that a group-based, telemedicine delivered psychoeducation programme to support psychological well-being among adolescents with CHD is feasible, acceptable, and effective. Future directions include examining intervention effects across diverse centres, populations, and implementation methods.
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Cousino et al. (2024) studied Fontan-palliated congenital heart disease (n=20). WE BEAT Well-Being Education Programme vs. Pre-intervention baseline was evaluated on Resilience measured by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (d = 0.44). The WE BEAT telemedicine psychoeducation program increased resiliency (d = 0.44) and reduced depressive symptoms (d = 0.36) in adolescents with Fontan-palliated congenital heart disease.
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