Assessing stress in LVAD recipients: Development of the LVAD Stress Questionnaire

Patients receiving left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation can experience significant psychological stress that negatively impacts quality of life and treatment outcomes. Assessment of LVAD stress is critical for providing targeted interventions and advancing the relevant literature. The goal of this study was to establish a new measure of LVAD-specific patient stress, the LVAD Stress Questionnaire (LSQ).

The LSQ is an 18-item measure developed by researchers with extensive clinical experience providing psychological assessment and care for LVAD candidates and recipients. In this study, the LSQ was evaluated with a sample of 73 participants post-LVAD implant.

Results of factor analysis supported the use of an LSQ full-scale score, also yielding five subscales of distinct areas of stress. Cronbach's alpha indicated that the full scale and subscales had reasonable to good internal consistency. The LSQ full scale score and four of the subscale scores were positively associated with depression and anxiety. Younger age, female gender, and being unpartnered were associated with higher LVAD stress based on one or more subscale scores.

The LSQ is a useful tool that treatment teams can utilize to ascertain whether and in which area an LVAD causes stress, thereby informing interventions to maximize patient outcomes.