Video calls did not reduce PTSD symptoms in relatives during restricted ICU visits in the COVID-19 pandemic

To help reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic, ICU visits were banned or restricted. Therefore, family-centered care as usually practiced was not feasible Video calls were recommended to meet relatives’ needs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of video calls on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in relatives of ICU patients. This single-center study was performed during the first wave (15.03.2020‒30.04.2020; visits banned) and the second wave (01.10.20‒08.02.21: visits restricted) of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to assess PTSD symptoms and an adapted version of the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit 24-Item-Revised questionnaire (aFS-ICU 24R) to assess family satisfaction 3 months after ICU stay. The primary outcome was the difference in IES-R score at 3 months between the video call group (VCG) and the standard care group (SCG, no video calls). In addition, inductive content analysis of relatives’ comments regarding their satisfaction with decision-making and ICU care was performed. Fifty-two relatives (VCG: n = 26, SCG: n = 26) were included in this study. No significant difference in IES-R scores was observed between the VCG and the SCG (49.52 ± 13.41 vs. 47.46 ± 10.43, p = 0.54). During the ICU stay (mean 12 days, range 5.25‒18.75 days), the members of the VCG made a median of 3 (IQR 1‒10.75) video calls. No difference between the groups was found for conventional telephone calls during the same period (VCG: 9 calls, IQR 3.75‒18.1; SCG: 5 calls, IQR 3‒9; p = 0.12). The aFS-ICU 24R scores were high for both groups: 38 (IQR 37‒40) in the VCG and 40 (IQR 37‒40: p = 0.24) in the SCG. Video calls appeared largely ineffective in reducing PTSD symptoms or improving satisfaction among relatives affected by banning/restriction of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further investigations are needed to acquire more data on the factors involved in PTSD symptoms experienced by relatives of ICU patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.