An exploratory study of the psychological impact of a VAD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploratory study of the psychological impact of a ventricular assist device for children and their families
IRAS ID
138669
Contact name
Jo Wray
Contact email
Research summary
Increasing numbers of children with end stage congenital or acquired heart disease are being bridged to transplant or recovery with a ventricular assist device (VAD) yet there is little evidence about the psychological impact of this invasive, high-risk intervention on children and families. The proposed single-site study will use quantitative methods to investigate the impact of a VAD for children who have been bridged to transplant or recovery (retrospective element) and their parents and will also evaluate the impact for children with a VAD in situ (prospective element) and their parents. Children will be assessed with regard to their neurodevelopmental/cognitive function, behaviour and quality of life and parents will be asked to complete measures of anxiety and depression, stress, quality of life and family impact. Increasing our understanding of the impact of a VAD will enable us to target interventions more effectively to improve the experiences and outcomes of children bridged to recovery or transplant with a VAD.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1649
Date of REC Opinion
13 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion