Feasibility and Acceptability of an Integrative Therapy for Symptom Management in Persons With Pulmonary Hypertension

The primary goal of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week multicomponent integrative therapy program, Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT), for adults with chronic, life-limiting cardiopulmonary disease. The secondary goal is to determine preliminary efficacy of UZIT in symptom management. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) presents an excellent model of a severe, life-limiting cardiopulmonary condition with high symptom burden and poor outcomes suitable for this scientific inquiry. Despite medical and pharmacological advances in the treatment, 50-55% of persons with PH will die within three years after diagnosis. Medical management often involves life-long complex pharmacological treatment requiring high levels of skill, knowledge, and social support. Clusters of bothersome symptoms such as chest pain, anxiety, insomnia, dyspnea, and fatigue can overwhelm patients' ability to manage daily activities and medication treatment regimens. Side effects of treatment induce additional noxious symptoms. The high prevalence of physical symptoms, depression, and anxiety among adults with PH confirmed in our prior work, can also lead to reduced (HRQoL). A literature search found no published report of complementary, integrative therapy interventions to alleviate symptoms in adults with PH. This study will use a single group repeated-measures design to address the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and to explore preliminary efficacy.