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Published on: August 8, 2025
Brief mindfulness intervention prior to simulated central venous access device insertion: A pilot randomised
Denis O'Dwyer1, Ashwin Subramaniam1,2,3, Dean McKenzie1,4
1Department of Intensive Care, Epworth Hospital, Epworth Healthcare, Richmond, VIC, Australia.
Summary
A brief mindfulness intervention before central line insertion simulation was feasible and reduced stress, but did not improve procedural performance. Further trials are needed to confirm these findings in intensive care unit (ICU) settings.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Simulation Training
- Mindfulness Interventions
Background:
- Acute stress negatively impacts attention and performance in critical care settings.
- The effectiveness of brief mindfulness interventions in intensive care unit (ICU) simulation training remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of a brief mindfulness intervention prior to simulated ultrasound-guided central venous access device (CVAD) insertion.
- To explore the impact of mindfulness on procedural performance, physiological arousal, anxiety, confidence, and cognitive workload.
Main Methods:
- A single-centre pilot randomized feasibility study involving ICU registrars.
- Participants were randomized to a 3-minute mindfulness meditation or an active control (chart review) before simulation.
- Feasibility assessed by recruitment, adherence, data completeness, and blinding; exploratory outcomes included performance metrics and physiological/psychological measures.
Main Results:
- Feasibility thresholds were met, with high recruitment (92%), adherence (100%), and data completeness (100%).
- Mindfulness led to greater reductions in heart rate and blood pressure, and decreased state anxiety.
- Procedural performance was numerically lower in the mindfulness group, with more critical errors, though sample size limits definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- A brief pre-procedural mindfulness intervention is feasible in ICU simulation and reduces physiological arousal and anxiety.
- Mindfulness did not improve, and may numerically decrease, procedural performance in simulated CVAD insertion.
- Findings support a larger, powered trial to definitively evaluate mindfulness interventions in this context.
