Feasibility of a mindfulness app in parents of a child with medical complexity: A pilot study.

The prevalence of pediatric chronic conditions is increasing rapidly. Parents of a child with medical complexity (CMC) experience stress, depression which may also impact family functioning. Research has shown that mindfulness applications (apps) have significantly improved stress and depression in other populations, but have not been studied in this population. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a mindfulness app in parents of a CMC. Parents were recruited to participate from a non-profit organization and asked to use a mindfulness app for 4 weeks and fill out questionnaires before and after the intervention. Eight mothers participated in the study for the entire study period. Data analysis showed that using a mindfulness app in this population is feasible and reduces depressive symptoms and improves family functioning.

Experiences of Parents of Children With Medical Complexity in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Medical advances and decreased mortality rates in the pediatric intensive care unit have increased the number of children surviving illnesses they may not have survived previously. The term child with medical complexity is poorly defined. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this scoping review were to examine the experiences of parents of children with medical complexity in the pediatric intensive care unit and describe strategies to help support these parents. RESULTS: Eight studies were eligible for inclusion. All were published from 2009 through 2021. One study was a quantitative observational study, 2 were mixed-methods studies, and 5 had a qualitative design. Parents experienced significant stress and depression. Sources of stress were parenting a child with complex chronic illness in the pediatric intensive care unit, uncertainty, communication between family members and clinicians, and lack of subspecialty communication. Strategies to assist parents included respecting parents' expertise and providing consistent and clear communication with family members and among subspecialty clinicians. CONCLUSION: This review is the first to examine the experiences of parents of children with medical complexity in the pediatric intensive care unit. The study was limited by lack of available research and lack of consensus for the definition of child with medical complexity. However, this review describes strategies that nurses may find useful when caring for parents of children with medical complexity.