What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

Narrative Medicine involves reading and discussing literature, followed by guided writing exercises such as poetry, journaling, or creative non-fiction. The mechanisms of action include providing an emotional outlet, fostering self-reflection, and enhancing coping skills. These activities help patients process their experiences, reduce stress, and improve their emotional well-being. This is particularly important for patients in high-stress situations, such as having a child in intensive care, as it aids in making sense of their experiences and supports mental health.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Narrative Medicine, which involves reading, guided discussion, and writing exercises, generally has minimal side effects. Participants may experience emotional discomfort or distress when reflecting on and writing about their experiences, especially if the topics are sensitive or traumatic. However, these activities are typically well-tolerated and can provide significant emotional and psychological benefits, such as improved coping and reduced stress.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no FDA-approved drugs specifically for the treatment of Narrative Medicine. Narrative Medicine is a therapeutic intervention that involves reading, discussing literature, and writing exercises to help individuals cope with stress and emotional challenges. It is not a pharmacological treatment and thus does not involve FDA-approved medications.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to Narrative Medicine for 2024 include music therapy, meditation, and yoga. These therapies have received higher grades for evidence-based treatment of anxiety, stress, depression, and mood disorders. Additionally, healing touch, hypnosis, and acupuncture may offer small benefits for pain management and could be considered based on individual patient needs.

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Narrative Medicine for Parental Coping in Child Intensive Care

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Daniel H Grossoehme, DMin, MS

Research Sponsored by Akron Children's Hospital

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up baseline and 3 days post intervention/baseline

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a narrative medicine intervention for caregivers of children in the PICU. The intervention includes reading, discussing, and writing about selected texts to help caregivers cope with stress. The goal is to see if this approach improves their mental well-being.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for legal guardians aged 18 or older who can read and write English, with a child under 18 years in the PICU on hospitalization day 5 or more. It's not for those whose partner is in a similar study, have joined this study before, if their child isn't officially under PICU service, or if they work in Akron Children's Hospital Palliative Care.

What is being tested?

The trial tests narrative medicine as a coping strategy for parents with children in intensive care. It involves reading literature followed by discussion and writing exercises guided by a coordinator. The impact of these sessions on the parents' ability to cope and make sense of their experience is measured through surveys.

What are the potential side effects?

There are no direct physical side effects from participating in narrative medicine interventions like this one. However, discussing sensitive topics may evoke emotional responses or discomfort.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ baseline and 3 days post intervention/baseline

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~baseline and 3 days post intervention/baseline

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline and 3 days post intervention/baseline for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS)

Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy- Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-Sp-12) Meaning subscale

Secondary study objectives

Duke University Religion Index (DUREL)

Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy- Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-Sp-12) Meaning/Peace subscale

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Narrative MedicineExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

The intervention group will receive a blank composition book with daily writing prompts developed during at least one in-person session with the Narrative Medicine Coordinator to discuss their writing and their writing process.

Group II: Blank composition book with encouragement to writeActive Control1 Intervention

The comparison group will receive a blank composition book with encouragement to write.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Narrative Medicine

2022

N/A

~50

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Narrative Medicine involves reading and discussing literature, followed by guided writing exercises such as poetry, journaling, or creative non-fiction. The mechanisms of action include providing an emotional outlet, fostering self-reflection, and enhancing coping skills. These activities help patients process their experiences, reduce stress, and improve their emotional well-being. This is particularly important for patients in high-stress situations, such as having a child in intensive care, as it aids in making sense of their experiences and supports mental health.

The cerebral circulation and cerebrovascular disease III: Stroke.Overlapping Mechanisms of Stress-Induced Relapse to Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain: Clinical Implications.