Preoperative optimization of patient expectations improves long-term outcome in heart surgery patients: results of the randomized controlled PSY-HEART trial

Combining preoperative expectations and postoperative met expectations to predict patient-reported outcomes after knee surgery

Introduction

Both preoperative expectations and postoperative met expectations can independently influence patient-reported outcomes (PROs), however, their combined effect on PROs is not well understood. This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of categorizing non-arthroplasty knee surgery patients into clusters based on both preoperative expectations and postoperative met expectations.

Methods

638 patients who underwent non-arthroplasty knee surgery from June 2015 to May 2021 at a single academic institution were analyzed. Patients were grouped based on both preoperative expectations and two-year postoperative met expectations scores using cluster analysis. Four distinct expectations cluster groups were formed: high preoperative-high met expectations (HIGH-HIGH), low preoperative-high met expectations (LOW-HIGH), high preoperative-low met expectations (HIGH-LOW), and low preoperative-low met expectations (LOW-LOW). Socioeconomic data and PROs were compared based on cluster group, and logistic regression was performed to determine the likelihood of achieving a patient-perceived "completely better" status based on cluster group.

Results

Patients with high met expectations, regardless of preoperative expectations, reported better two-year PROs compared to patients with low met expectations. Patients with high preoperative expectations achieved better outcomes only when those expectations were met postoperatively. Low preoperative expectations did not preclude patients from achieving good outcomes, as long as those expectations were met. The HIGH-HIGH group had increased odds of achieving completely better status compared to the LOW-HIGH group (OR = 1.68, p = .02), HIGH-LOW group (OR = 16.69, p < .001), and LOW-LOW group (OR = 5.17, p < .001). The HIGH-LOW group had decreased odds of achieving completely better status compared to the LOW-LOW group (OR = .31, p = .01).

Conclusion

Met expectations may be a stronger predictor of postoperative outcomes than preoperative expectations in non-arthroplasty knee surgery. This study highlights the importance of setting realistic preoperative expectations and focusing on achieving expectations postoperatively. These findings offer valuable insights for clinicians to manage patient expectations effectively based on individual characteristics and expected treatment outcomes.

The Impact of Psychological Prehabilitation on Surgical Outcomes: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of psychological prehabilitation in improving surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Prehabilitation aims to improve surgical outcomes through prevention. While most prehabilitation protocols have focused on improving patient knowledge and physical function, mental health has started to receive greater attention due to its effects on postoperative recovery, including persistent opioid use. However, the efficacy of psychological prehabilitation remains unclear due to the heterogeneity of psychological modalities, intervention characteristics, and surgical contexts.

METHODS

A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials from 2004 to 2024 were conducted per "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" guidelines to assess the effect of psychotherapy on 4 postoperative outcomes: length of stay (LOS), pain, anxiety, and depression. Randomized controlled trials were retrieved from MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar databases (March 2024). Studies with >50 adult surgical patients were included. Random effect meta-analyses estimated pooled effect sizes, with meta-regression analyzing intervention and surgery types.

RESULTS

Twenty articles comprising 2376 patients were included. Psychological prehabilitation interventions included cognitive behavioral therapy (70%), supportive psychotherapy (25%), and acceptance and commitment therapy (5%). Pooled analysis revealed greater reductions in LOS [mean difference (MD) = -1.62 days; 95% CI: -2.899, -0.349; P = 0.012], pain (MD = -3.52; 95% CI: -2.642, -4.401; P < 0.001), anxiety (standard MD = -1.51; 95% CI: -0.634, -2.385; P < 0.001), and depression (standard MD = -1.48; 95% CI: -0.578, -2.382; P = 0.001). Psychotherapy modality and surgery type showed no significant effects, except for anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological prehabilitation reduces LOS, pain, anxiety, and depression after surgery. Further studies are necessary to compare different types, durations, and delivery methods of psychotherapy for specific postoperative outcomes of interest.

Exploring the role of negative expectations and emotions in primary dysmenorrhea: insights from a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Primary dysmenorrhea, characterized by painful menstruation, significantly impacts the quality of life for women worldwide. Negative expectations and associated emotions are known to trigger nocebo effects and may also influence cyclic menstrual pain. In this study, we investigated the role of pain expectations and negative anticipatory emotions as potential contributing factors to hyperalgesia in women with severe menstrual pain, compared to women with absent or mild menstrual pain.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective case-control study in women with severe menstrual pain due to primary dysmenorrhea, comparing them with age-matched women with absent or mild menstrual pain. Data collection included the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) at baseline, as well as daily numeric rating scales (NRS) to evaluate pain expectations, anticipatory negative emotions, and daily stress during the 10 days preceding menstruation. Saliva samples were collected to evaluate the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) before menstruation, and pain was assessed during the first 3 days of menstruation.

RESULTS

Women with high menstrual pain reported significantly higher DASS-21 anxiety levels compared to low-pain controls, although still within the normal range (median [IQR], 3 [2; 5] vs. 1 [1; 3], p <.05). In the 10 days preceding menstruation, the high-pain group expected significantly higher maximum pain levels than controls (median [IQR], 8 [7.3; 8.5] vs. 2.1 [1; 3.3], p <.001), which aligned with their actual experiences of maximum pain during menstruation (6.5 [4.8; 7.7] vs. 1.2 [0.7; 2.3], p <.001). Anticipatory stress (2.1 [0.9; 4.2] vs. 0.2 [0; 0.9], p <.001), anticipatory anxiety (0.7 [0.0; 2.3] vs. 0 [0; 0], p <.001), anticipatory worry (1.3 [0.4; 2.6] vs. 0.1 [0; 0.3], p <.001), and anticipatory anger (0.7 [0; 1.5] vs. 0 [0; 0.2], p <.01) were also significantly higher in the high-pain group in the 10 days before menstruation. The CAR showed no significant differences between groups in the days before menstruation. Correlational analyses revealed multiple positive associations between expected pain levels, anticipatory negative emotions, and subsequently perceived levels of menstrual pain in both groups (all p-values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This pioneering study supports the hypothesis that cognitive-emotional factors such as heightened pain anticipation and negative emotions intensify menstrual pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea, although causal conclusions cannot be drawn from this observational study. Strategies aimed at optimizing expectations could play a significant role in managing primary dysmenorrhea.

Effects of pre-CABG program on discharge readiness and surgery outcomes for patients undergoing elective CABG surgery: a study protocol for a randomised control trial

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of death globally, impose significant health and economic burdens, particularly in countries like Iran. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common intervention for ischaemic heart disease, yet it entails a long recovery process with potential complications and psychological impacts. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a prehabilitation programme (pre-CABG) on postoperative outcomes and discharge readiness in patients undergoing elective CABG.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This randomised controlled trial involves 60 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving the pre-CABG programme, or the control group, receiving standard care. The pre-CABG programme includes patient education, stress management techniques, respiratory muscle training and nutritional guidance. Primary outcomes include discharge readiness, duration of intubation, Intensive Care Uniy (ICU) stay, occurrence of atelectasis, onset of mobility, hospital stay and levels of anxiety and depression. Secondary outcomes include the rate of 30-day readmissions. Data collection will involve standardised scales and checklists administered at various stages preoperation and postoperation.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The research study has received approval from the Research Ethics Committee at Tehran University of Medical Sciences' School of Nursing and Midwifery and Rehabilitation. All participants must provide written consent for their involvement in this study. The findings will be shared with appropriate groups and published in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

The study is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials under the ID IRCT20231019059768N1.

Predicting placebo analgesia responses in clinical trials: where to look next? A meta-analysis of individual patient data

ABSTRACT

Estimating the magnitude of placebo responses across pharmacological and nonpharmacological trials is important for understanding their influence on trial outcomes. Yet, the extent to which more intense placebo interventions like sham acupuncture yield larger analgesic responses than placebo pills, and the factors predicting these responses, remain unclear. This meta-analysis investigated the magnitude and predictors of placebo analgesia responses in pharmacological vs acupuncture trials. Analyses included individual patient data from the placebo arm of 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs): 9 pharmacological RCTs using placebo pills (N = 2021) and 2 acupuncture RCTs using sham acupuncture (N = 747). All trials were conducted in patients with chronic nociceptive pain (osteoarthritis, N = 2068; low back pain, N = 700). The placebo response was calculated as the change in pain intensity (0-100) between baseline and week 12. A random effects model demonstrated that placebo pills and patients with osteoarthritis exhibited smaller placebo responses than sham acupuncture and patients with low back pain (both P < 0.001, marginal effects). A mixed effects model showed that route of administration interacted significantly with baseline pain, premature termination, and the presence of adverse events. Together, predictors explained 20% to 25% of the individual variance in placebo responses, whereas 75% to 80% remained unaccounted for. In summary, sham acupuncture accounted for slightly larger placebo responses than placebo pills. Since basic trial and patient parameters explained only a small portion of this variability, we might need to start considering the patient's perception of the treatment-including cognition and emotions-to better predict placebo analgesia responses.

Patients' Expectations and Perspectives on Follow-up Care after Bariatric Surgery in Germany

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for patients with obesity. After surgery, lifelong follow-up care is recommended to improve weight-loss outcomes. However, follow-up attendance is low, and the reasons have yet to be determined. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify patients' expectations and perspectives on follow-up care after bariatric surgery to identify current unmet needs and ways to increase follow-up attendance.

METHODS

Patients who underwent bariatric surgery at a university medical center and attended at least one follow-up appointment completed an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of open-ended questions regarding follow-up care. Content analysis was applied to qualitatively analyze the results.

RESULTS

In total, 164 patients responded to at least one question (participation rate 50.1%). On average, patients had attended three follow-up appointments at the time of the study. Expectations concerning the content of follow-up care included regular examinations, blood tests, and psychological and nutritional counseling and support. Notably, the follow-up care was most criticized for its lack of regular psychological and nutritional support, with many suggesting that these services be incorporated. Interestingly, follow-up care appointment attendance was rarely connected with expectations of better outcomes. Regular appointments and laboratory results were among the positive aspects of the current follow-up care.

CONCLUSIONS

Expectations were mostly related to the content of follow-up care. However, few patients seemed to recognize the importance of follow-up care for improved outcomes. Therefore, educating patients about the critical role of follow-up care might improve attendance and also lead to more successful long-term bariatric surgery outcomes.

Pre-operative expectations in patients with endometriosis - a qualitative interview study

BACKGROUND

Expectations determine treatment outcomes in several medical conditions. The significance of expectations for treatment outcomes in patients with endometriosis remains unknown. Endometriosis is a painful and debilitating disease that negatively affects quality of life. Up to 30% of surgically treated patients report persistent post-operative complaints and pain disability without sufficient medical explanation, indicating the impact of non-medical factors on treatment outcomes.

AIM

The present qualitative study aimed to describe and understand pre-operative patient expectations, facilitators of and barriers to positive treatment outcomes.

METHOD

As part of a large mixed-method cohort study, a subsample of N = 33 patients with endometriosis were interviewed before laparoscopy. Structured content analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Positive expectations included significant improvement or absence of complaints, receiving a diagnosis, and subsequently improved health-related quality of life. However, patients also reported negative expectations such as invalidation of their experience, persistence of complaints, or post-operative side effects. Patients perceived positive expectations as facilitators for positive treatment outcomes. Further facilitators included enhanced patient and treatment information, gynaecologists specialized in endometriosis, and greater awareness of endometriosis. Perceived barriers to good post-operative quality of life included post-operative pain and scarring, insufficient rest, avoidance behaviour, and stress.

CONCLUSION

Positive and negative expectations coexisted. Positive expectations suggest that participants place much hope in laparoscopy. However, these positive expectations may exceed probable treatment outcomes for some patients. Negative expectations were also expressed and constituted a risk for nocebo effects. Further identified facilitators and barriers show that patients are very clear about what is helpful or not for their health-related quality of life after laparoscopy. Patient and treatment information may be enhanced to prevent unrealistic treatment expectations and nocebo effects.

Prior therapeutic experiences and treatment expectations are differentially associated with pain-related disability in individuals with chronic pain

Many individuals suffering from chronic pain do not benefit sufficiently from treatment. Prior treatment experiences and treatment expectations play a significant role in perceived symptom severity and treatment-related outcomes in many chronic diseases. Their role in chronic pain, however, remains underexplored. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of treatment experiences and treatment expectations for pain-related disability in individuals suffering from chronic pain. Participants suffering from chronic pain who were receiving treatment (pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, and/or psychotherapy) completed questionnaires as part of an online survey. Prior improvement, worsening, and side effect experiences and their relation with treatment expectations were assessed with the generic rating scale for previous treatment experiences, treatment expectations, and treatment effects (GEEE), and pain-related disability via the pain disability questionnaire (PDI). Multiple linear regressions were performed to determine how prior treatment experiences related to treatment expectations and whether prior experiences and current treatment expectations were associated with pain-related disability. In total, 212 participants (86.3% female) were included. Prior worsening experience as well as stronger worsening and side effect expectations were associated with higher pain-related disability. Screening patients for different expectation domains could be an important strategy to detect and target potentially relevant factors influencing pain-related disability and treatment outcome.

[Expectations and expectancies as a core principle in functional somatic symptoms: Evidence and clinical implications]

Expectation and expectancies play a central role in current etiological models of functional somatic symptoms and their clinical manifestations as functional disorders, bodily distress disorder and somatic symptom disorder. Their effects have been shown with respect to symptom development, symptom persistence and treatment outcomes. Handling expectations and expectancies is therefore an important task in their prevention and management, from primary care to psychotherapy. This review presents current evidence concerning the role of expectation and expectancies in the etiology and maintenance of functional somatic symptoms, and how to address them in transdisciplinary treatment.

The implications of integrating positive psychological frameworks into clinical practice in cardiac surgery

There is a growing recognition of the significance of the mental and emotional readiness of patients prior to undergoing heart surgery. Self Determination Theory, a part of Positive Psychology delves into the realms of happiness, drive, and satisfaction in life. This theory highlights the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness as fundamental basic psychological needs necessary for attaining life satisfaction, motivation, and psychological well-being. To examine these aspects in this study, it is assessed the levels of basic psychological needs, motivation levels, and levels of psychological energy of patients undergoing heart surgery. Basic Psychological Needs Scale, Motivation Scale, and Psychological Energy Scale are used for data collection. Through an analysis involving independent samples t-tests on 55 patients, the research findings revealed these psychological outcomes associated with heart surgery. Following heart surgery, participants showed decreases in their levels of psychological needs satisfaction, motivation, and psychological energy.

Effects of a preoperative psychological expectation-focused intervention in patients undergoing valvular surgery - the randomized controlled ValvEx (valve patients' expectations) study

BACKGROUND

Many patients experience a reduced quality of life for months after heart surgery. Besides medical factors, psychological factors such as preoperative expectations influence the recovery process. The ValvEx study investigated whether an expectation-focused preoperative intervention before heart valve surgery would (i) improve the postoperative recovery process by reducing illness-related disability and ii) impact secondary outcomes such as increased positive realistic expectations, and reduce preoperative anxiety.

METHODS

N = 89 patients undergoing heart valve surgery were randomized into 1 of 2 groups after a baseline assessment: Standard medical care (SOC) vs SOC plus psychological expectation-focused intervention (EXPECT) on the day of hospital admission. Further assessments were conducted on the evening before surgery, 4 to 6 days and 3 months after surgery. The primary outcome was illness-related disability. Constrained longitudinal data analyses were conducted to analyze the intervention effects, while the need for information was considered as a potential moderator.

RESULTS

No general effects were observed for the EXPECT intervention over time regarding the primary outcome illness-related disability (Pain Disability Index, PDI) and the secondary outcomes (P ≥ .167). The intervention effects were moderated by the individual need for information: Patients with a higher need for information who received the EXPECT intervention were less anxious on the evening before surgery (P = .020, d = 0.314) and less restricted in their quality of life 4 to 6 days after surgery compared to patients who received SOC (P = .005, d = 0.464).

CONCLUSIONS

The ValvEx study is the first multicentre study investigating the expectation-optimizing preoperative intervention in heart valve patients. The implementation of the EXPECT intervention seemed to optimize outcomes after heart valve surgery for certain patients, such as patients with a high need for information. It is possible that there were no direct effects of the EXPECT intervention because the intervention dose was too low. These preliminary findings need to be corroborated by larger multicenter trials. Trial registration The study was preregistered at ClinicalTrials (identifier: NCT04502121, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04502121).

A biopsychological network approach to variables contributing to preoperative quality of life in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Quality of life (QoL) in cardiac surgery patients is increasingly recognized as a critical outcome, influenced by biopsychosocial variables. This study aims to explore the associations between preoperative QoL and various psychological and biomedical variables in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The study includes cross-sectional baseline data from 204 cardiac surgery patients in two distinct cardiac surgery samples: Data collection for the PSY-HEART I trial (coronary artery bypass grafting) was conducted from 2011 to 2015, while data for the ValvEx (valvular surgery) trial were collected between 2020 and 2022. We assessed psychological variables, such as illness beliefs and expectations, alongside biomedical variables, including body mass index, EuroSCORE II, and C-reactive protein levels. Data analysis involved partial correlation Gaussian Graphical Models (GGM) and Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) to identify key nodes and pathways affecting QoL. The resulting GGM was estimated to be rather sparse (38 of 136 possible edges were present) and the case-drop bootstrap node stability estimates ranged from sufficient (CS-Coefficient Bridge Expected Influence = 0.28) to good (CS-Coefficient Expected Influence = 0.51). Our analyses revealed strong associations between psychological variables and preoperative QoL, with current and expected illness-related disability being central to the network. Medical variables showed weaker connections to QoL. The DAG indicated that expected disability influenced current disability and preoperative QoL, suggesting that preoperative expectations may be crucial for postoperative outcomes. This study underscores the importance of psychological variables, particularly illness perceptions and expectations, in determining QoL in cardiac surgery patients. Targeting these variables through preoperative interventions may enhance postoperative recovery and QoL, advocating for a biopsychosocial approach in cardiac surgery care.

[Placebo effect in the treatment with antidepressants : Implications for the scientific evaluation and clinical use of pharmaceutical treatments of depression]

BACKGROUND

Blinded placebo treatment arms in clinical trials often achieve up to 80% of the clinical improvements of the verum groups. Apparently, the majority of the effects found in the antidepressant groups in clinical trials are due to factors that are not specific to antidepressant treatment. This article reviews the factors that contribute to the high effectiveness of placebo interventions for antidepressants.

METHODS

A narrative literature review is presented with particular emphasis on placebo effects in antidepressant clinical trials.

RESULTS

There is a particularly strong placebo effect in depression compared to other mental disorders. The magnitude of this effect can be modulated by helpful versus nonhelpful instructions, by patient participation in the decision-making process but also by personal attention, especially if the clinician is perceived as competent and warmhearted. The occurrence of subtle side effects can also reinforce placebo effects. Placebo effects are not only reflected in subjective patient-reported outcome variables but are also evident in neurochemical changes in the body.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians essentially contribute to the effectiveness of antidepressant treatment through their own behavior. At the same time, the relatively small overall difference between verum and placebo treatments for depression leads to the necessity of a critical evaluation of the cost-benefit ratio, adapted to the individual case. Study designs for the evaluation of antidepressants are required that better reflect the complex interactions between the genuine drug effects and placebo effects.

Optimized communication during risk disclosure to reduce nocebo headache after lumbar puncture-a study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial

Risk communication has been found to be a driver of nocebo effects in medical settings by enhancing negative expectations. In fact, merely disclosing the risk of side effects and complications of treatments or medical procedures increases reports of adverse events. Along these lines, it has been proposed that the occurrence of headache after lumbar puncture (LP), a routine diagnostic procedure in neurology, is caused to a large degree by the information delivered by the physician during the informed consent procedure. As withholding information conflicts with principles of patient autonomy, strategies are needed to mitigate nocebo-associated headaches without omitting the disclosure of risks. Here, we present a detailed study protocol for a preregistered, prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial with N = 80 inpatients at the neurology department of the University Hospital Essen who have an indication for a diagnostic LP. The trial is designed to test whether optimized communication strategies aimed at minimizing nocebo effects during the informed consent procedure reduce headache-related impairment after LP compared to standard-of-care. Secondary outcomes include expectation of side effects, state anxiety, headache intensity and duration, use of on-demand pain medication, perceived warmth and competence of the physician, and satisfaction with the procedure.

Assessment of psychosocial aspects in adults in post-COVID-19 condition: the EURONET-SOMA recommendations on core outcome domains for clinical and research use

BACKGROUND

Harmonizing core outcome domains allows for pooling data, comparing interventions, and streamlining research evaluation. At the same time clinicians require concise and feasible measures for routine practice. Considering the heterogeneity of post-COVID-19 condition, a biopsychosocial approach requires sufficient coverage of the psychosocial dimension with assessments. Previous recommendations for core outcome sets have serious limitations regarding the psychosocial aspects of post-COVID-19 condition. This paper specifically focuses on psychosocial outcomes for adults with post-COVID-19 condition, providing both a comprehensive set of outcome domains for research and a streamlined clinical core set tailored for routine clinical use.

METHODS

In a structured Consensus Development Approach, the European Network to improve diagnostic, treatment, and healthcare for patients with persistent somatic symptoms (EURONET-SOMA) developed psychosocial core outcome domains and assessments regarding post-COVID-19 condition. The experts identified variables and instruments which should be considered in studies on adults suffering from post-COVID-19 condition, and which are feasible in the clinical setting and relevant for research.

RESULTS

We identified three higher-order dimensions with each encompassing several domains: The first higher-order dimension, "outcomes", encompasses (1) the classification/ diagnostics of post-COVID-19 condition, (2) somatic symptoms (including fatigue), (3) the psychopathological status and mental comorbidities, (4) the physical status and somatic comorbidities, (5) neurocognitive symptoms, and (6) illness consequences. The second higher-order domain "mechanisms" encompasses (7) cognitive components, (8) affective components, (9) behavioral components, (10) social components, and (11) psychobiological bridge markers (e.g., neuroimmunological and psychoneuroendocrinological variables). The third higher-order domain, "risk factors", includes factors such as (12) socioeconomic status and sociocultural factors, (13) pre-existing mental and somatic health issues, (14) personality factors (e.g., neuroticism), (15) adverse childhood experiences, (16) ongoing disability or pension claim, and (17) social media use. For each domain, specific instruments are suggested for research purposes and clinical use.

CONCLUSIONS

The recommended core domains help to increase consistency in a biopsychosocial approach to post-COVID-19 condition across investigations, improve synergies, and facilitate decision-making when comparing different interventional approaches. It allows to better identify relevant subgroups in heterogeneous post-COVID-19 condition populations offering practical tools for routine clinical practice through the clinical core set.

Development of an expectation management intervention for patients with Long COVID: A focus group study with affected patients

BACKGROUND

A significant number of individuals who have contracted SARS-CoV-2 report persistent somatic symptoms after the infection has resolved. Evidence-based treatment options for Long COVID are lacking to date. To ensure that an expectation management intervention, designed for the research project SOMA.COV, addresses relevant patient needs as well as to promote treatment acceptance and adherence, a participatory approach was chosen.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to explore needs and wishes of patients with Long COVID regarding the preliminary version of an expectation management intervention and to thereby inform the further development of the treatment manual.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients affected by Long COVID participated in one of four focus groups in June and July 2023. Participants were presented with the draft content of a four-session expectation management intervention. Feedback was audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen themes relating to the main components of the intervention manual were developed. Large parts of the manual received overall positive feedback, including psychoeducation on the biopsychosocial etiology of the condition, elements of cognitive restructuring, and an imagination exercise. Patients' response to the presented vicious circle of fear and a behavior change exercise was mixed. Modifications to the manual were made in response to patients' feedback.

CONCLUSION

Patients with Long COVID provided positive feedback on an expectation management intervention while also highlighting important adaptations necessary for this patient group. The study results informed the finalization of the treatment manual within the SOMA.COV project, which investigates the effectiveness of this intervention for patients with Long COVID in a three-armed randomized controlled trial.

Changing expectations toward end-of-life communication: An experimental investigation

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of a) a brief video intervention and b) end-of-life (EOL) conversations with relatives on EOL communication expectations.

METHODS

272 participants from the general population were randomly assigned to three different video conditions (Intervention group: Persons reporting positive EOL conversation experiences +imagination task, Control group 1: Video unrelated to EOL topics, Control group 2: Persons reporting different attitudes toward EOL conversations +imagination task). Primary outcome was negative expectations. After the videos, participants were invited to have their own conversation with a loved one in the following two months. Data were collected before (pretest) and after watching the videos (posttest) as well as at a two-months follow-up.

RESULTS

Between pre- and posttest, negative expectations decreased significantly more in the IG compared to CG1 (b = 0.15, t = 2.08, p = .020) and CG2 (b = 0.21, t = 2.94, p = .002). Across conditions, participants having had a conversation between posttest and follow-up reported significantly stronger declines of negative expectations (b = 0.35, t = 3.54, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the short term, a brief video intervention can change expectations toward EOL communication. EOL conversations with relatives also have the potential to reduce negative expectations.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Based on the findings, larger community-based interventions could be developed in order to increase EOL communication.

Expectations in the Communication About Death and Dying: Development and Initial Validation of the End-of-Life Conversations - Expectations Scale

End-of-life (EOL) conversations with relatives or significant others are often avoided. One reason can be negative expectations regarding these conversations. The present study was conducted to develop and initially validate the End-of-Life Conversations - Expectations Scale (EOLC-E). An exploratory factor analysis (N = 307) resulted in a 20-item version with three distinct dimensions: expected own emotional burden (α = .92), expected other person's emotional burden (α = .94) and communication self-efficacy (α = .89). The EOLC-E total score correlated significantly with communication apprehension about death (r = .62), fear of death (r = .58), death avoidance (r = .52) as well as readiness for end-of-life conversations (r = -.38) and occurrence of previous conversations (r = -.29). Results suggest that the EOLC-E is a reliable and valid instrument to assess death and dying communication expectations. This measure has utility in communication research focusing on optimizing expectations and increasing EOL communication.

Modifiable factors for somatic symptom persistence in patients with somatic symptom disorder: study protocol for a longitudinal cohort with an embedded ecologically momentary assessment (SOMA.SSD)

INTRODUCTION

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a distressing mental disorder characterised by the presence of at least one persistent somatic symptom and a significant psychological burden due to the symptom(s), as well as excessive thoughts, feelings or behaviours related to them or associated health concerns. The primary aim of our study is to deepen the understanding of risk factors and mechanisms for somatic symptom persistence. Specifically, we will investigate the role of patients' expectations and somatic comorbidity regarding symptom persistence.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In a prospective 12-month cohort study, n=240 patients with SSD will be recruited from the outpatient clinics of the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. The roles of two hypothesised predictors (ie, expectations and comorbidity) will be analysed together with known predisposing and maintaining factors of persistent somatic symptoms. The study entails macrolevel and microlevel assessments to investigate symptom severity over different timespans. Assessments at the macrolevel take place at baseline, 6 and 12 months. At the microlevel, a 10-day ecological momentary assessment study will be implemented to elucidate patients' dynamic experience with somatic symptoms in their natural environments. In order to elicit possible framing effects on the 10-day course of symptom severity, participants are randomised to either a positive or a negative expectation framing group. Cross-lagged panel models will be used to analyse data at the macrolevel. At the microlevel, multivariate latent growth curve models will be conducted to relate temporal changes in predictor and outcome variables to one another.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Associations Hamburg, Germany (2020-10197-BO-ff). The results will enable us to draw conclusions regarding the role of expectations for future targeted treatment options and regarding the utility of somatic comorbidity as a potential diagnostic specifier of SSD. Dissemination of our results will be achieved through scientific publications, and lay summaries for study participants, patient advocacy groups and the general public.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN36251388.

Side-effect expectations are associated with disability, physical fitness, and somatic symptoms 3 months after post-COVID neurological inpatient rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to long-term health issues known as post-COVID-19 condition, including fatigue and cognitive disruptions. Despite its recognition as a public health concern, the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, especially in neurological rehabilitation, remains unclear. This study examines how treatment expectations are associated with psychological and physical outcomes in post-COVID-19 condition neurological rehabilitation.

METHODS

In an observational cohort study 61 patients with confirmed post-COVID-19 condition were included. Baseline (T0) data on treatment and side effect expectations were collected, before participants underwent a 4-6 week multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Primary outcome was illness-related disability (Pain Disability Index). Secondary outcomes included depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), anxiety levels (GAD-7), functional status (PCFS), fatigue (CFS), and physical fitness (6MWT). Regression models analyzed the associations of baseline expectations with outcomes at the end of rehabilitation (T1) and three months post-rehabilitation (T2).

RESULTS

After adjusting for multiple testing, higher baseline side-effect expectations were associated with greater illness-related disability (β = 0.42, p = 0.007), reduced physical fitness (β = - 0.24, p = 0.04), and more somatic symptoms (β = 0.33, p = 0.006) at follow-up (T2). Positive treatment expectations were associated with poorer functional status (β = 0.35, p = 0.011) at T2.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the associations of side-effect expectations with post-COVID-19 condition rehabilitation outcomes. Higher side-effect expectations were associated to poorer outcomes, indicating a nocebo effect. Surprisingly, positive expectations were linked to worse outcomes, possibly due to unrealistic optimism. Managing patient expectations realistically and addressing side-effect concerns seems crucial for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes.

Examining the association of vaccine-related mindsets and post-vaccination antibody response, side effects, and affective outcomes

Background

Although vaccines are largely effective and safe, there is variability in post-vaccination experience regarding antibody response, side effects, and affective outcomes. Vaccine mindsets, specific beliefs about the vaccine, may be associated with post-vaccination experience. This is important since mindsets are malleable and may help decrease vaccine hesitancy and improve post-vaccination experience.

Methods

In a prospective study, we measured overall positive vaccine mindset and specific mindsets regarding efficacy, body response, and side effects. We tested whether vaccine mindsets before vaccination predicted neutralizing antibody response, side effects, vaccine-related stress, and affective outcomes (general stress, sadness, and happiness). Antibody response was assessed one month and six months after participants completed a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination series. Side effect experience and affective reactions were assessed daily on the vaccination day and the subsequent five days.

Results

There was no significant association between the aggregate vaccine mindset score and neutralizing antibody response; however, people with a more positive vaccine mindset reported fewer side effects, less same-day vaccine-related anxiety, and improved affective outcomes after vaccination. In secondary analyses, when specific mindsets were explored, the mindset that vaccine side effects are a sign of treatment efficacy predicted higher antibodies, but not side effects experience and vaccine-related anxiety. Vaccine efficacy and body-response mindsets predicted fewer side effects, vaccine-related anxiety, and improved affective outcomes after vaccination.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the potential of vaccine mindsets in enhancing the overall post-vaccination experience and, in some cases, increasing antibody response.

"Powerful placebo": A teaching and learning concept addressing placebo and nocebo effects in competency-based communication training

Aim

Placebo and nocebo effects are based on expectations that are formed by how doctors communicate and can influence the efficacy of medical treatment. Given the implications for doctor-patient communication and the learning objectives listed in NKLM 2.0, we herein present a novel teaching and learning concept to impart competency-based knowledge about placebo and nocebo effects.

Method

The teaching and learning concept was piloted with N=324 third-semester medical students. It combines a self-guided, small-group component to gather communication strategies and apply them in a video-recorded conversation, followed by a classroom-based session to reflect on and discuss the videos and to learn basic scientific and theoretical knowledge. The evaluation involved written feedback from the students and lecturers (structure/process) and an analysis of the videos (students' learning success). To supplement this, the overall course evaluation was included since this new teaching concept was not specifically evaluated by the students.

Results

Course structure and process were rated positively. The active involvement of the students in the subject matter and the balance between theoretical, scientific and practical content was emphasized positively. Analysis of the learning success showed that the students were able to effectively transfer the knowledge gained about placebo and nocebo effects to conversational situations.

Conclusion

The topic of placebo/nocebo is optimally suited to teach communication skills with its many links to knowledge, translational approaches and added value for medical practice. When doing this, video-recorded conversations appear to be an effective tool to achieve learning objectives. This teaching and learning strategy offers possibilities for expanding communication curricula.

Assessment of treatment expectations in people with suspected endometriosis: A psychometric analysis

Background

Treatment expectations influence clinical outcomes in various physical and psychological conditions; however, no studies have explored their role in endometriosis treatment. It is necessary to understand how these expectations can be measured to study treatment expectations and their effects in clinical practice. This study aimed to psychometrically analyze and compare different treatment expectation measurements and describe treatment expectations in women with suspected endometriosis.

Method

Analysis of cross-sectional baseline data of a mixed-method clinical observational study of N=699 patients undergoing laparoscopy in Germany. Descriptives, bivariate associations, convergent and discriminant validity of four expectation measurements (Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q); Generic rating scale for previous treatment experiences, treatment expectations, and treatment effects (GEEE); numerical rating scales (NRS) assessing improvement and worsening of endometriosis symptoms, expected Pain Disability Index (PDI); range: 0 to 10) were estimated. A cluster analysis was performed on the three GEEE items.

Results

Most participants expected high improvement ( M=6.68 to 7.20, SD=1.90 to 2.09) and low worsening ( M=1.09 to 2.52, SD=1.80 to 2.25) of disability from laparoscopy. Participants who expected greater worsening expected more side effects ( r=.31 to .60, p<.001). Associations between the positive and negative expectation dimensions, including side effects, were small to non-significant ( r =|.24| to .00, p<.001 to.978). Four distinct clusters, described as'positive', 'no pain, no gain', 'diminished', and 'uniform' were found, with a total PVE of 62.2%.

Conclusions

Women with suspected endometriosis reported positive expectations concerning laparoscopy, but wide ranges indicated interindividual differences. Treatment expectations seem to be a multidimensional construct in this patient group. The investigated measurements did not correlate to the extent that they measured exactly the same construct. The selection of measurements should be carefully considered and adapted for the study purposes. Clusters provide initial indications for individualized interventions that target expectation manipulation.

Trial Registration Number

ID NCT05019612 ( ClinicalTrials.gov).

Treatment expectations of patients and clinicians: a cross-sectional study

Importance

Understanding treatment expectations of patients and their clinicians is of great importance in improving personalized medical services and enhancing patient safety systems.

Objective

To investigate treatment expectations of patients and their clinicians and compare differences between both, by using a pair of validated structured assessment tools covering three key aspects/dimensions of clinical interests.

Design setting and participants

This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in China. The study enrolled patients aged 16 years and older receiving inpatient care and their clinicians. Patient recruitment was conducted from March 2023 to November 2023.

Assessments

In addition to demographic and clinical characteristics, this study employed two validated structured assessment tools to evaluate treatment expectations among patients and their clinicians: the Hospitalized Patients' Expectations for Treatment Scale-Patient version (HOPE-P) and its counterpart, the Hospitalized Patients' Expectations for Treatment Scale-Clinician version (HOPE-C).

Results

A total of 233 patients (mean [SD] age, 52.3 [15.1] years; 108 [46.4%] female) along with their clinicians, who numbered 75 in total were enrolled in this study. The distribution of total scores for HOPE-P and HOPE-C displayed similar patterns, with most scores concentrated in the higher range (above 50% of the full score). The mean HOPE-P total score was higher than that of HOPE-C (mean [SD] score, 38.78 [4.86] vs 37.49 [4.32]; t = 3.12, P = 0.002). In Dimension 2, the HOPE-P score was higher than HOPE-C (23.67 [3.20] vs 21.72 [3.03]; t = 6.98, P < 0.001). However, in Dimensions 1 and 3, HOPE-P scored lower than HOPE-C (13.37 [2.44] vs 13.84 [1.73]; t = -2.384, P < 0.018; 1.74 [1.14] vs 1.94 [1.00]; t = -2.00, P = 0.047). Certain demographic and clinical characteristics led to variations in patients' treatment expectations, including marital status, monthly family income, and smoking history.

Conclusions and relevance

This cross-sectional study revealed significant differences between patients' and doctors' treatment expectations. Notably, it highlighted the need for clinicians to focus on rationalizing patients' expectations concerning treatment outcomes.

Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier

ChiCTR2300075262.

Can caloric restriction improve outcomes of elective surgeries?

Energy restriction (ER) is a nutrition method to reduce the amount of energy intake while maintaining adequate nutrition. In clinical medicine, applications of ER have been implicated in longevity, mortality, metabolic, immune, and psychological health. However, there are limited studies showing the clinical benefit of ER within the immediate surgical setting. A specific, clinically oriented summary of the potential applications of ER is needed to optimize surgery outcomes for patients. The purpose of this article is to examine how ER can be used for perioperative optimization to improve outcomes for the patient and surgeon. It will also explore how these outcomes can feasibly fit in with enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and can be used as a method for nutrition optimization in surgery. Despite evidence of caloric restriction improving outcomes in critically ill surgical patients, there is not enough evidence to conclude that ER, perioperatively across noncritically ill cohorts, improves postoperative morbidity and mortality in elective surgeries. Nevertheless, a contemporary account of how ER techniques may have a significant role in reducing risk factors of adverse surgical outcomes in this cohort, for example, by encouraging preoperative weight loss contributing to decreased operating times, is reviewed.

Persistent physical symptoms: definition, genesis, and management

Persistent physical symptoms (synonymous with persistent somatic symptoms) is an umbrella term for distressing somatic complaints that last several months or more, regardless of their cause. These symptoms are associated with substantial disability and represent a major burden for patients, health-care professionals, and society. Persistent physical symptoms can follow infections, injuries, medical diseases, stressful life events, or arise de novo. As symptoms persist, their link to clearly identifiable pathophysiology often weakens, making diagnosis and treatment challenging. Multiple biological and psychosocial risk factors and mechanisms contribute to the persistence of somatic symptoms, including persistent inflammation; epigenetic profiles; immune, metabolic and microbiome dysregulation; early adverse life experiences; depression; illness-related anxiety; dysfunctional symptom expectations; symptom focusing; symptom learning; and avoidance behaviours, with many factors being common across symptoms and diagnoses. Basic care consists of addressing underlying pathophysiology and using person-centred communication techniques with validation, appropriate reassurance, and biopsychosocial explanation. If basic care is insufficient, targeted psychological and pharmacological interventions can be beneficial. A better understanding of the multifactorial persistence of somatic symptoms should lead to more specific, personalised, and mechanism-based treatment, and a reduction in the stigma patients commonly face.

Implementation of an innovative ERAS protocol in cardiac surgery: A qualitative evaluation from patients' perspective

OBJECTIVE

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to optimize the recovery process for patients after surgical interventions and focus on patient-centered care. In cardiac surgery, the ERAS concept is still in its early stages. Our university hospital has implemented an innovative ERAS protocol for minimally invasive heart valve surgery since 2021. Therefore, our study aimed to comprehensively assess the patient experience within this newly established ERAS protocol and focused on exploring and understanding the nuances of optimal healthcare delivery under the ERAS framework from the unique perspective of the patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

Qualitative research was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed using Kuckartz´s qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The following main themes emerged from the 12 completed patient interviews: 1) information and communication flow, 2) perioperative patient care, and 3) rehabilitation. Patients found the pre-operative patient education and preconditioning very helpful. Patients were satisfied with the flow of information throughout the whole perioperative care process. Most patients expressed a need for more information about the course of surgery. The intensity of care provided by different professions was perceived as optimal. The support and inclusion of relatives in perioperative care were considered crucial. Patients appreciated the direct transfer to the rehabilitation and mainly were able to cope with daily life tasks afterward.

CONCLUSION

In summary, all patients experienced the ERAS protocol positively, and their healthcare process was well established. Active inclusion and education of patients in their treatment can improve patient empowerment. Two further aspects that deserve major consideration in the healthcare process are the inclusion of relatives and interprofessional cooperation.

Expectancy Effects in Psychedelic Trials

Clinical trials of psychedelic compounds like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and N,N-dimethyltrptamine (DMT) have forced a reconsideration of how nondrug factors, such as participant expectations, are measured and controlled in mental health research. As doses of these profoundly psychoactive substances increase, so does the difficulty in concealing the treatment condition in the classic double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design. As widespread public enthusiasm for the promise of psychedelic therapy grows, so do questions regarding whether and how much trial results are biased by positive expectancy. First, we review the key concepts related to expectancy and its measurement. Then, we review expectancy effects that have been reported in both micro- and macrodose psychedelic trials from the modern era. Finally, we consider expectancy as a discrete physiological process that can be independent of, or even interact with, the drug effect. Expectancy effects can be harnessed to improve treatment outcomes and can also be actively managed in controlled studies to enhance the rigor and generalizability of future psychedelic trials.

Learning by observing: a systematic exploration of modulatory factors and the impact of observationally induced placebo and nocebo effects on treatment outcomes

Introduction

Observational learning (OL) refers to learning through observing other people's behavior. OL has been suggested as an effective and simple tool to evoke treatment expectations and corresponding placebo and nocebo effects. However, the exact mechanisms by which OL shapes treatment outcomes, its moderating factors and possible areas of application remain unclear. We thus reviewed the existing literature with two different literature searches to answer the following questions: Which influencing factors contribute to OL-induced placebo and nocebo effects (in healthy volunteers and patients) and how large are these effects (search 1)? In which medical fields has OL been used so far to modulate treatment expectancy and treatment outcomes in patients, their caregivers, and at-risk groups (search 2)? We also aimed to explore whether and how the assessment of treatment expectations has been incorporated.

Methods

We conducted two independent and comprehensive systematic literature searches, both carried out on September 20, 2022.

Results

We identified 21 studies that investigated OL-mediated placebo and nocebo effects for pain and itch, the (placebo) efficacy of sham treatment on anxiety, and the (nocebo) induction of medication side effects (search 1). Studies showed that OL can efficiently induce placebo and nocebo effects across different presentation modes, with medium effect sizes on average: placebo effects, d = 0.79 (range: d = -0.36-1.58), nocebo effects, d = 0.61 (range: d = 0.04-1.5). Although several moderating factors have been investigated, their contribution to OL-induced effects remains unclear because of inconsistent results. Treatment expectation was assessed in only four studies. Regarding medical applications of OL (search 2), we found 12 studies. They showed that OL was effectively applied in preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative interventions and that it was mainly used in the field of psychosomatics.

Discussion

OL effects on treatment outcomes can be both positive and negative. Future research should investigate which individuals would benefit most from OL and how OL can be implemented most effectively to induce placebo and avoid nocebo effects in clinical settings.

Systematic review registration

This work was preregistered at the Center for Open Science as open-ended registration (doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/FVHKE). The protocol can be found here: https://archive.org/details/osf-registrations-fvhke-v1.

Patient-centered evaluation of an expectation-focused intervention for patients undergoing heart valve surgery: a qualitative study

Objective

Randomized controlled trials demonstrate the effectiveness of expectation-focused interventions in improving recovery outcomes following cardiac surgery. For dissemination in routine health care, it is important to capture the perspective of affected individuals. This qualitative study explores the perceived benefits and intervention-specific needs of patients who received expectation-focused intervention in the context of heart valve surgery. In addition, it explores potential barriers and adverse effects.

Methods

As part of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program within a multicentered randomized controlled trial, patients undergoing minimally invasive heart valve surgery received an intervention focused on their expectations. Six weeks after the intervention, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 patients to assess its feasibility, acceptance, barriers, benefits, and side effects. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

The results indicate that both the intervention and the role of the patient and psychologist are key aspects in evaluating the expectation-focused intervention. Five key themes emerged from the patients' perspective: personal needs, expectations and emotions, relationship, communication, and individuality. Patients valued the preparation for surgery and recovery and the space for emotions. Establishing a trustful relationship and addressing stigmatization were identified as primary challenges within the intervention.

Conclusion

Overall, patients experienced the expectation-focused intervention as helpful and no adverse effects were reported. Perceived benefits included enhanced personal control throughout the surgery and recovery, while the potential barrier of stigmatization towards a psychologist may complicate establishing a trustful relationship. Addressing personal needs, as a relevant topic to the patients, could be achieved through additional research to identify the specific needs of different patient subgroups. Enhancing the expectation-focused intervention could involve the implementation of a modular concept to address individual needs better.

Pre-treatment expectations and their influence on subjective symptom change in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Treatment expectations reportedly shape treatment outcomes, but have not been studied in the context of multimodal therapy in Crohn's disease (CD). Therefore, the current study investigated the role of treatment expectations for subjective symptom changes in CD patients who have undergone an integrative multimodal therapy program.

METHODS

Validated questionnaires were completed at the start of the treatment program and post intervention. Pre-treatment expectations and experienced symptom change were assessed with the Generic Rating Scale for Previous Treatment Experiences, Treatment Expectations, and Treatment Effects (GEEE); stress levels were quantified with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and disease specific quality of life was quantified with the disease-specific Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). We performed multiple linear and Bayesian regression to determine how expectations related to symptom change.

RESULTS

N = 71 CD patients (66.2% female) were included. Stronger expectations regarding symptom improvement (b = 0.422, t = 3.70, p < .001) were associated with higher experienced symptom improvement. Additionally, Bayesian analysis provided strong evidence for including improvement expectations as a predictor of improvement experience (BFinclusion = 13.78).

CONCLUSIONS

In line with research in other disorders, we found that positive treatment expectations were associated with experienced symptom improvement. In contrast, we found no indication that an experience of symptom worsening was associated with positive or negative baseline treatment expectations. Induction of positive expectations might be a potential avenue for improving treatment outcomes in CD therapy.

Psychological risk factors for Long COVID and their modification: study protocol of a three-arm, randomised controlled trial (SOMA.COV)

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence suggests that in addition to pathophysiological, there are psychological risk factors involved in the development of Long COVID. Illness-related anxiety and dysfunctional symptom expectations seem to contribute to symptom persistence.

AIMS

With regard to the development of effective therapies, our primary aim is to investigate whether symptoms of Long COVID can be improved by a targeted modification of illness-related anxiety and dysfunctional symptom expectations. Second, we aim to identify additional psychosocial risk factors that contribute to the persistence of Long COVID, and compare them with risk factors for symptom persistence in other clinical conditions.

METHOD

We will conduct an observer-blinded, three-arm, randomised controlled trial. A total of 258 patients with Long COVID will be randomised into three groups of equal size: targeted expectation management in addition to treatment as usual (TAU), non-specific supportive treatment plus TAU, or TAU only. Both active intervention groups will comprise three individual online video consultation sessions and a booster session after 3 months. The primary outcome is baseline to post-interventional change in overall somatic symptom severity.

CONCLUSIONS

The study will shed light onto the action mechanisms of a targeted expectation management intervention for Long COVID, which, if proven effective, can be used stand-alone or in the context of broader therapeutic approaches. Further, the study will enable a better understanding of symptom persistence in Long COVID by identifying additional psychological risk factors.

Impact of interventions to improve recovery of older adults following planned hospital admission on quality-of-life following discharge: linked-evidence synthesis

Objectives

To understand the impact of multicomponent interventions to improve recovery of older adults following planned hospital treatment, we conducted two systematic reviews, one of quantitative and one of qualitative evidence, and an overarching synthesis. These aimed to: • understand the effect of multicomponent interventions which aim to enhance recovery and/or reduce length of stay on patient-reported outcomes and health and social care utilisation • understand the experiences of patients, carers and staff involved in the delivery of interventions • understand how different aspects of the content and delivery of interventions may influence patient outcomes.

Review methods

We searched bibliographic databases including MEDLINE ALL, Embase and the Health Management Information Consortium, CENTRAL, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, conducted forward and backward citation searching and examined reference lists of topically similar qualitative reviews. Bibliographic database searches were completed in May/June 2021 and updated in April 2022. We sought primary research from high-income countries regarding hospital inpatients with a mean/median age of minimum 60 years, undergoing planned surgery. Patients experienced any multicomponent hospital-based intervention to reduce length of stay or improve recovery. Quantitative outcomes included length of stay and any patient-reported outcome or experience or service utilisation measure. Qualitative research focused on the experiences of patients, carers/family and staff of interventions received. Quality appraisal was undertaken using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool or an adapted version of the Wallace checklist. We used random-effects meta-analysis to synthesise quantitative data where appropriate, meta-ethnography for qualitative studies and qualitative comparative analysis for the overarching synthesis.

Results

Quantitative review: Included 125 papers. Forty-nine studies met criteria for further synthesis. Enhanced recovery protocols resulted in improvements to length of stay, without detriment to other outcomes, with minimal improvement in patient-reported outcome measures for patients admitted for lower-limb or colorectal surgery. Qualitative review: Included 43 papers, 35 of which were prioritised for synthesis. We identified six themes: 'Home as preferred environment for recovery', 'Feeling safe', 'Individualisation of structured programme', 'Taking responsibility', 'Essential care at home' and 'Outcomes'. Overarching synthesis: Intervention components which trigger successful interventions represent individualised approaches that allow patients to understand their treatment, ask questions and build supportive relationships and strategies to help patients monitor their progress and challenge themselves through early mobilisation.

Discussion

Interventions to reduce hospital length of stay for older adults following planned surgery are effective, without detriment to other patient outcomes. Findings highlight the need to reconsider how to evaluate patient recovery from the perspective of the patient. Trials did not routinely evaluate patient mid- to long-term outcomes. Furthermore, when they did evaluate patient outcomes, reporting is often incomplete or conducted using a narrow range of patient-reported outcome measures or limited through asking the wrong people the wrong questions, with lack of longer-term evaluation. Findings from the qualitative and overarching synthesis will inform policy-making regarding commissioning and delivering services to support patients, carers and families before, during and after planned admission to hospital.

Study registration

This trial is registered as PROSPERO registration number CRD42021230620.

Funding

This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (NIHR award ref: 130576) and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 11, No. 23. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Preoperative optimization and rapid discharge after coronary artery bypass grafting

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review discusses current guidelines and evidence-based care for the preoperative optimization of patients who are undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and for enabling rapid discharge after surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Since the Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery Society (ERAS Cardiac) issued guidelines for perioperative care, in 2019, there has been a significant body of research that has added to and provided further guidance regarding preoperative optimization and accelerated recovery after CABG.

SUMMARY

A review of the current literature provides a framework for a pragmatic approach to preoperative optimization, utilizing the time from referral to surgery to mitigate multiple aspects of the patient condition, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced length of stay and cost to the healthcare system.

Setting up and assessing a therapeutic education program for asthmatic patients

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a major public health issue. It remains uncontrolled, despite the availability of effective treatments. Appropriate education programs are required to improve the situation. The study aims to design and assess an educational program based on asthma patients' perceived needs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in the pulmonology department of the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez. A convenience sample of asthma patients, whether hospitalized or not, was recruited. Two hundred and twenty adult asthma patients completed an educational needs survey (ENS). An asthma knowledge questionnaire for adult patients was used to assess the program on the criterion of improving asthma knowledge. Data collected by ENS was analyzed by standard descriptive statistics. The Student's T test for paired samples was used to compare the means of the Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire scores before and after therapeutic education.

RESULTS

Most patients were married and residing in urban areas. The illiteracy rate was 50%. One patient was a regular smoker. 125 patients (56.82%) reported non-compliance to treatment. The pathophysiology of asthma (chronic airway inflammation, bronchial hyperreactivity, and bronchial obstruction), causes and complications, treatment (inhalation technique), asthma attacks and environmental management, lifestyle, and psychological support were the patients' main perceived educational needs. Based on these findings, an instructional program was created and evaluated with 30 patients. After the program, asthma knowledge increased significantly.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that an educational intervention can improve asthma knowledge.

Changing Mindsets About Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccination: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Side-effect concerns are a major barrier to vaccination against COVID-19 and other diseases. Identifying cost- and time-efficient interventions to improve vaccine experience and reduce vaccine hesitancy-without withholding information about side effects-is critical.

PURPOSE

Determine whether a brief symptom as positive signals mindset intervention can improve vaccine experience and reduce vaccine hesitancy after the COVID-19 vaccination.

METHODS

English-speaking adults (18+) were recruited during the 15-min wait period after receiving their second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination and were randomly allocated to the symptom as positive signals mindset condition or the treatment as usual control. Participants in the mindset intervention viewed a 3:43-min video explaining how the body responds to vaccinations and how common side effects such as fatigue, sore arm, and fever are signs that the vaccination is helping the body boost immunity. The control group received standard vaccination center information.

RESULTS

Mindset participants (N = 260) versus controls (N = 268) reported significantly less worry about symptoms at day 3 [t(506)=2.60, p=.01, d=0.23], fewer symptoms immediately following the vaccine [t(484)=2.75, p=.006, d=0.24], and increased intentions to vaccinate against viruses like COVID-19 in the future [t(514)=-2.57, p=.01, d=0.22]. No significant differences for side-effect frequency at day 3, coping, or impact.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the use of a brief video aimed at reframing symptoms as positive signals to reduce worry and increase future vaccine intentions.

CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12621000722897p.

Effects of Interventions Based on Patient Expectations on Coronary Surgery Outcomes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Coronary surgery can have various outcomes, such as fear of death, cardiac anxiety, and pain disability. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of interventions based on patient expectations on different outcomes of coronary surgery, including expectations, cardiac anxiety, and pain-induced disability.

Methods

This randomized clinical trial evaluated 60 coronary surgery candidates. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The patients were contacted 1 to 2 weeks before coronary surgery to complete the Cardiac Surgery Patient Expectations Questionnaire (C-SPEQ). Based on the analysis of expectations, the intervention group underwent interventions to optimize expectations, whereas the control group received only routine care. The Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) and the Pain Disability Index (PDI) were completed on the day of hospitalization. Three months later, the participants recompleted all 3 questionnaires. The data were analyzed with descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS 16.0.

Results

There were no significant differences between the control and intervention groups in baseline variables, pain-induced disability (P=0.353), and cardiac anxiety (P=0.479). After the intervention, no significant differences were observed between the groups concerning expectations (P=0.554) and pain-induced disability (P=0.557) when the confounding variables were adjusted. Nevertheless, cardiac anxiety decreased significantly (P=0.027).

Conclusion

Our interventions improved expectations and mitigated anxiety among coronary surgery patients. Actualization and optimization of patient expectations should be considered in the care of coronary surgery candidates.

Harnessing placebo: Lessons from psychedelic science

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) research design assumes that a drug's "specific" effect can be isolated, added, and subtracted from the "nonspecific" effect of context and person. While RCTs are helpful in assessing the added benefit of a novel drug, they tend to obscure the curative potential of extra-pharmacological variables, known as "the placebo effect." Ample empirical evidence suggests that person/context-dependent physical, social, and cultural variables not only add to, but also shape drug effects, making them worth harnessing for patient benefits. Nevertheless, utilizing placebo effects in medicine is challenging due to conceptual and normative obstacles. In this article, we propose a new framework inspired by the field of psychedelic science and its employment of the "set and setting" concept. This framework acknowledges that drug and nondrug factors have an interactive and synergistic relationship. From it, we suggest ways to reintegrate nondrug variables into the biomedical toolbox, to ethically harness the placebo effect for improved clinical care.

Comparative efficacy of psychological interventions on immune biomarkers: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA)

Psychological interventions are viable, cost-effective strategies for improving clinical and psychological impact of inflammation-related conditions. However, their efficacy on immune system function remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of psychological interventions, against a control condition, on biomarkers of innate and adaptive immunity in adults. PubMed, Scopus, PsycInfo, and Web of Science were searched from inception up to Oct 17, 2022. Cohen's d at 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to assess the effect sizes of each class of intervention against active control conditions at post-treatment. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022325508). Of the 5024 articles retrieved, we included 104 RCTs reporting on 7820 participants. Analyses were based on 13 types of clinical interventions. Compared with the control conditions, cognitive therapy (d =  - 0.95, 95% CI: -1.64 to - 0.27), lifestyle (d =  - 0.51, 95% CI: -0.99 to - 0.02), and mindfulness-based (d =  - 0.38, 95% CI: -0.66 to - 0.09) interventions were associated with post-treatment reduction of proinflammatory cytokines and markers. Mindfulness-based interventions were also significantly associated with post-treatment increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines (d = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.09 to 1.30), while cognitive therapy was associated also with post-treatment increase in white blood cell count (d = 1.89, 95% CI: 0.05 to 3.74). Results on natural killer cells activity were non-significant. Grade of evidence was moderate for mindfulness and low-to-moderate for cognitive therapy and lifestyle interventions; however, substantial overall heterogeneity was detected in most of the analyses.

Prehabilitation before elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this scoping review was to identify and map existing preoperative interventions, referred to as prehabilitation, in adult patients at home awaiting elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. This review also sought to report feasibility and patient experiences to shape clinical practice and underpin a future systematic review.

INTRODUCTION

As patients age, comorbidities become more common. Strategies to improve postoperative outcomes and to accelerate recovery are required in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Prehabilitation refers to a proactive process of increasing functional capacity before surgery to improve the patient's ability to withstand upcoming physiologic stress and, thus, avoid postoperative complications.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies that included adult patients waiting for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery at home and that described interventions optimizing preoperative physical and psychological health in any setting were included.

METHODS

The JBI methodology for conducting scoping reviews was used to identify relevant studies in MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Library, Embase (Ovid), Scopus, SweMed+, PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), and PEDro. Gray literature was identified searching Google Scholar, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, MedNar, OpenGrey, NICE Evidence search, and SIGN. Studies in Danish, English, German, Norwegian, and Swedish were considered for inclusion, with no geographical or cultural limitations, or date restrictions. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and studies meeting the inclusion criteria were imported into Covidence. Sixty-seven studies from November 1987 to September 2022 were included. The data extraction tool used for the included papers was developed in accordance with the review questions and tested for adequacy and comprehensiveness with the first 5 studies by the same 2 independent reviewers. The tool was then edited to best reflect the review questions. Extracted findings are described and supported by figures and tables.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven studies were eligible for inclusion, representing 28,553 participants. Analyses of extracted data identified various preoperative interventions for optimizing postoperative and psychological outcomes for adult patients awaiting elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Based on similarities, interventions were grouped into 5 categories. Eighteen studies reported on multimodal interventions, 17 reported on psychological interventions, 14 on physical training interventions, 13 on education interventions, and 5 on oral health interventions.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review provides a comprehensive summary of strategies that can be applied when developing a prehabilitation program for patients awaiting elective coronary artery bypass surgery. Although prehabilitation has been tested extensively and appears to be feasible, available evidence is mostly based on small studies. For patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting to derive benefit from prehabilitation, methodologically robust clinical trials and knowledge synthesis are required to identify optimal strategies for patient selection, intervention design, adherence, and intervention duration. Future research should also consider the cost-effectiveness of prehabilitation interventions before surgery. Finally, there is a need for more qualitative studies examining whether individual interventions are meaningful and appropriate to patients, which is an important factor if interventions are to be effective.

Risk factors and protective factors of acute postoperative pain: an observational study at a German university hospital with cross-sectional and longitudinal inpatient data

OBJECTIVES

Surgical fear is one of the most important psychological risk factors for postoperative pain, but less is known about the contribution of protective factors. This study investigated somatic and psychological risk and resilience factors of postoperative pain and validated the German version of the Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ).

SETTING

University Hospital of Marburg, Germany.

DESIGN

Single-centre observational study and cross-sectional validation study.

PARTICIPANTS

Data for validating the SFQ were obtained from a cross-sectional observational study (N=198, mean age 43.6 years, 58.8% female) with persons undergoing different kinds of elective surgery. A sample of N=196 (mean age 43.0 years, 45.4% female) undergoing elective (orthopaedic) surgery was analysed to investigate somatic and psychological predictors of relevant acute postsurgical pain (APSP).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants completed preoperative and postoperative assessments at postoperative days 1, 2 and 7. Presurgical pain, age, gender, pain expectation, surgical setting, physical status, anaesthesia, surgical fear, pain catastrophising, depression, optimism and self-efficacy were examined as predictors.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the original two-factor structure of the SFQ. Correlation analyses indicated good convergent and divergent validity. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) was between 0.85 and 0.89. Blockwise logistic regression analyses for the risk of APSP revealed outpatient setting, higher preoperative pain, younger age, more surgical fear and low dispositional optimism as significant predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

The German SFQ is a valid, reliable and economical instrument with which the important psychological predictor surgical fear can be assessed. Modifiable factors that increase the risk of postoperative pain were higher pain intensity before surgery and being fearful about negative consequences of the surgery whereas positive expectations seem to buffer against postsurgical pain.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

DRKS00021764 and DRKS00021766.

Recovery expectations can be assessed with single-item measures: findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of recovery expectations on return-to-work outcomes after musculoskeletal pain conditions

ABSTRACT

The objective of this systematic review is to quantify the association between recovery expectations and return-to-work outcomes in adults with musculoskeletal pain conditions. In addition, this review has the second objective to compare the predictive utility of single-item and multi-item recovery expectation scales on return-to-work outcomes. Relevant articles were selected from Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Cochrane, and manual searches. Studies that assessed recovery expectations as predictors of return-to-work outcomes in adults with musculoskeletal pain conditions were eligible. Data were extracted on study characteristics, recovery expectations, return-to-work outcomes, and the quantitative association between recovery expectations and return-to-work outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project. Odds ratios were pooled to examine the effects of recovery expectations on return-to-work outcomes. Chi-square analyses compared the predictive utility of single-item and multi-item recovery expectation scales on return-to-work outcomes. Thirty studies on a total of 28,741 individuals with musculoskeletal pain conditions were included in this review. The odds of being work disabled at follow-up were twice as high in individuals with low recovery expectations (OR = 2.06 [95% CI 1.20-2.92] P < 0.001). Analyses also revealed no significant differences in the predictive value of validated and nonvalidated single-item measures of recovery expectations on work disability (χ 2 = 1.68, P = 0.19). There is strong evidence that recovery expectations are associated with return-to-work outcomes. The results suggest that single-item measures of recovery expectations can validly be used to predict return-to-work outcomes in individuals with musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Expectation focused and frequency enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with major depression (EFFECT): a study protocol of a randomised active-control trial

INTRODUCTION

The effectiveness of psychotherapy in depression is subject of an ongoing debate. The mechanisms of change are still underexplored. Research tries to find influencing factors fostering the effect of psychotherapy. In that context, the dose-response relationship should receive more attention. Increasing the frequency from one to two sessions per week seems to be a promising start. Moreover, the concept of expectations and its influence in depression can be another auspicious approach. Dysfunctional expectations and the lack of their modification are central in symptom maintenance. Expectation focused psychological interventions (EFPI) have been investigated, primarily in the field of depression. The aim of this study is to compare cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) once a week with an intensified version of CBT (two times a week) in depression as well as to include a third proof-of-principle intervention group receiving a condensed expectation focused CBT.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Participants are recruited through an outpatient clinic in Germany. A current major depressive episode, diagnosed via structured clinical interviews should present as the main diagnosis. The planned randomised-controlled trial will allow comparisons between the following treatment conditions: CBT (one session/week), condensed CBT (two sessions/week) and EFPI (two sessions/week). All treatment arms include a total dose of 24 sessions. Depression severity applies as the outcome variable (Beck Depression Inventory II, Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale). A sample size of n=150 is intended.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The local ethics committee of the Department of Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg approved the study (reference number 2020-68 v). The final research article including the study results is intended to be published in international peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS00023203).

Expectations and Prior Experiences Associated With Adverse Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination

Importance

Uptake of vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly affected by concerns about adverse effects. Research on nocebo effects suggests that these concerns can amplify symptom burden.

Objective

To investigate whether positive and negative expectations prior to COVID-19 vaccination are associated with systemic adverse effects.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective cohort study analyzed the association of expected benefits and risks of vaccination, adverse effects at first vaccination, and observed adverse effects in close contacts with severity of systemic adverse effects among adults receiving a second dose of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines between August 16 and 28, 2021. A total of 7771 individuals receiving the second dose at a state vaccination center in Hamburg, Germany, were invited to participate; of these, 5370 did not respond, 535 provided incomplete information, and 188 were excluded retrospectively. The mobile application m-Path was used for data collection.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcome was a composite severity index of systemic adverse effects in 12 symptom areas measured once daily with an electronic symptom diary over 7 consecutive days. Data were analyzed by mixed-effects multivariable ordered logistic regression adjusted for prevaccine symptom levels and observation times.

Results

A total of 10 447 observations from 1678 individuals receiving vaccinations (BNT162b2 [Pfizer BioNTech] in 1297 [77.3%] and mRNA-1273 [Moderna] in 381 [22.7%]) were collected. The participants' median age was 34 (IQR, 27-44) years, and 862 (51.4%) were women. The risk for more severe adverse effects was higher for persons expecting a lower benefit of vaccination (odds ratio [OR] for higher expectations, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.63-0.83]; P < .001), expecting higher adverse effects of vaccination (OR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.23-1.58]; P < .001), having experienced higher symptom burden at the first vaccination (OR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.42-1.82]; P < .001), scoring higher on the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (OR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.06-1.38]; P = .004), and if the vaccine mRNA-1273 was given rather than BNT162b2 (OR, 2.45 [95% CI, 2.01-2.99]; P < .001). No associations were seen for observed experiences.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, several nocebo effects occurred in the first week after COVID-19 vaccination. The severity of systemic adverse effects was associated not only with vaccine-specific reactogenicity but also more negative prior experiences with adverse effects from the first COVID-19 vaccination, more negative expectations regarding vaccination, and tendency to catastrophize instead of normalize benign bodily sensations. Clinician-patient interactions and public vaccine campaigns may both benefit from these insights by optimizing and contextualizing information provided about COVID-19 vaccines.

The impact of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVES

To achieve a beneficial impact on long-term outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the goal of the present study was the early identification of patients at risk of impaired postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly evaluating the significance of socio-demographic variables.

METHODS

In this prospective, single-centre cohort study of patients having an isolated CABG (January 2004-December 2014), preoperative socio-demographic (preSOC) and preoperative medical variables as well as 6-month follow-up data including the Nottingham Health Profile were analysed in 3,237 patients.

RESULTS

All preSOC (gender, age, marriage and employment) and follow-up (chest pain, dyspnoea) variables proved to have significant influence on HRQoL (P < 0.001), male patients below 60 years being particularly impaired. The effects of marriage and employment on HRQoL are modulated by age and gender. The significance of the predictors of reduced HRQoL differs between the 6 Nottingham Health Profile domains. Multivariable regression analyses revealed explained proportions of variance amounting to 7% for preSOC and 4% for preoperative medical variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of patients at risk of impaired postoperative HRQoL is decisive for providing additional support. This study reveals that the assessment of 4 preoperative socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, marriage, employment) is more predictive of HRQoL after CABG than are multiple medical variables.

Do expectations determine postoperative disability in women with endometriosis? Study protocol for a clinical mixed-methods observational cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Overall, 20%-30% of women with endometriosis report endometriosis-related disability after successful laparoscopy. This indicates a potential impact of psychological factors, such as expectations, on treatment outcomes. It is already known that expectations determine treatment outcomes in various health conditions, such as cardiologic or gynaecology. Therefore, we investigate the impact of expectations and other psychological factors on patients' course of treatment outcomes after laparoscopy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A longitudinal mixed-methods study with N=300 women treated at a specialised centre of surgical endoscopy and endometriosis will be conducted with one preoperative and eight postoperative assessments of endometriosis-related disability and a priori specified predictors such as expectations.Additionally, two subsamples (each ~n=30) will be either interviewed about their endometriosis-related disability, expectations, and experiences of laparoscopy before and after surgery or asked once per day for 30 consecutive days using ambulatory assessments. Quantitative data will be analysed using multilevel modelling for longitudinal data. Structural content analysis will be used for qualitative data.

DISCUSSION

To optimise treatment for women with endometriosis, it is essential to understand how treatment expectations and other psychological and medical factors influence treatment outcomes after laparoscopy.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Ethics Committee of the Psychotherapeutenkammer Hamburg, Germany, gave ethical approval (ROXWELL-2021-HH, 25 June 2021).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05019612).