ArticleNursing in critical care2026
Impact of a Volunteer-Delivered Spiritual Care Strategy on Preventing Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-Family in Relatives of Critically Ill ICU Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study.
Article in Nursing in critical care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Spiritual Well-Being, Religious Coping and Care Burden in Relatives of Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Mixed-Method Study.Nursing in critical care · 2026Article
- Correction to 'Impact of a Volunteer-Delivered Spiritual Care Strategy on Preventing Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-Family in Relatives of Critically Ill ICU Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study'.Nursing in critical care · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundFamily members of critically ill patients are at increased risk of developing psychological disorders after ICU discharge, a condition known as Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-Family (PICS-F). Spiritual care (SC) interventions may reduce this burden, yet are rarely studied in this context.
aimTo assess the effect of a volunteer-delivered spiritual care intervention on the prevention of PICS-F, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression in relatives of ICU patients. STUDY
designWe conducted a quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study in a Chilean ICU. The intervention comprised three structured spiritual care sessions delivered virtually by trained community volunteers using the FICA tool. The primary outcome was PTSD symptoms, measured with the IES-R scale. Secondary outcomes included anxiety and depression (HADS) and satisfaction with the intervention. Given the protective role of family support during ICU stays against PICS-F, a non-randomised prospective study was designed. This study aimed to prevent psychological disorders related to PICS-F by providing support to family members of critically ill patients. It was hypothesised that a systematic general spiritual care intervention compared to standard care would effectively reduce psychological disorders associated with family post-ICU syndrome within 3 months.
resultsA total of 125 family members participated (n = 64 in the control group, n = 61 in the intervention group). After the intervention, significant differences were observed in PTSD scores (OR = 0.067; CI 0.010-0.458). This was not the case for depression or anxiety. Satisfaction with the intervention was high.
conclusionsA structured spiritual care intervention delivered by trained community volunteers was feasible and associated with reduced psychological distress in ICU family members. This low-cost and scalable spiritual care intervention, delivered virtually by trained volunteers, demonstrates feasibility and acceptability in ICU settings, particularly in resource-limited contexts. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study demonstrates that a structured, non-denominational spiritual care intervention can significantly reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress in family members of ICU patients. By integrating generalist spiritual support into ICU family care, delivered by trained volunteers using telehealth platforms, critical care teams can offer compassionate, accessible, and scalable support that addresses emotional and existential suffering. These findings highlight the importance of integrating spiritual care into multidisciplinary approaches to prevent PICS-F and promote holistic, family-centred care in intensive care settings.
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