Abstract Details

Title Increased Utilization of Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Reduce COVID-19 Anxiety in Diverse Cardiac Arrest Survivors in New York City

Topic Neuro Trauma, Critical Care, and Sports Neurology

Presentation(s) Neurocritical Care Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 015

Objective This study aimed to examine the utilization of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to reduce COVID-19 anxiety in cardiac arrest (CA) survivors in New York City (NYC) and compare them to their pre-COVID proportions.

Background Psychological distress specific to the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. COVID-19 anxiety: fear of falling sick or dying from COVID-19) is widespread and pronounced in CA survivors, for whom the consequences of infection are dire. Preferred coping mechanisms in CA survivors during times of isolation and social distancing have not yet been studied.

Design/Methods Between 5/15/20-7/31/20, after the NYC pandemic peak, CA survivors from a prospective cohort participated in a telephone-based assessment of the pandemic’s impact on psychological and behavioral dimensions. COVID-19 anxiety was assessed using the NIH 7-item Perceived Coronavirus Threat Questionnaire (PCTQ; range 1-42). Participant's current coping methods to alleviate stress or enhance psychological wellness were categorized as pharmacological (i.e. prescription psychiatric medications) or non-pharmacological (i.e. talk therapy, virtual support, or meditation practices), and noted if they were initiated as a result of COVID-19.

Results Of 130 approached, 105 CA survivors participated (57% male; mean±SD age 58.5±17 years; 41% non-Hispanic White, 17% Black, 35% Latinx). The majority (75%) had not experienced COVID-19 symptoms or had not been tested. The median PCTQ score was 29 (IQR: 20-32). During the pandemic, the utilization of non-pharmacological stress-relieving reduction methods increased by 6.67% (39% vs 32% , p<0.05) compared to pre-COVID. Being a woman (51% vs 32%, p=0.04), younger (53±17 vs 63±16 years, p<0.01), and greater COVID-19 anxiety scale scores (31±7 vs 25±9, p<0.01), was associated with increased usage of non-pharmacological stress-reduction measures.

Conclusions CA survivors experienced heightened anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic and preferred non-pharmacological approaches to enhance psychological wellness. Further research is warranted to examine the efficacy of these stress-reduction tactics long-term on pandemic related anxiety.

Authors/Disclosures
PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
David J. Roh, MD (Columbia University Medical Center)	Dr. Roh has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Portola Pharmaceuticals.
Soojin Park, MD	Dr. Park has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Neurocritical Care. The institution of Dr. Park has received research support from National Institutes of Health.
Jan Claassen, MD, PhD (Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons)	Dr. Claassen has stock in iCE Neurosystems. The institution of Dr. Claassen has received research support from NINDS. The institution of Dr. Claassen has received research support from McDonnel Foundation. Dr. Claassen has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Claassen has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
	No disclosure on file
Sachin Agarwal, MD, MPH (Columbia University Med Center)	Dr. Agarwal has nothing to disclose.

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