Using Breathing Techniques to Ease Anxiety in ICU Patients Awaiting Heart Transplants

Inclusion Criteria * any gender * any race/ethnicity * ≥18 years old with no upper limit * currently inpatient in the cardiac ICU, awaiting heart transplant * elevated anxiety symptoms as evidenced by cut scores on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) (Lovibond \& Lovibond, 1995; Eifert et al., 2000). * proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in English Participants in this study must be proficient in English due to the language limitations of the study administrator. The intervention includes a teaching component that requires verbal instruction, psychoeducation, and interactive engagement, all of which will be conducted exclusively in English. At this time, the study administrator is only proficient in English and is unable to reliably deliver the intervention or assess participant understanding in other languages. To ensure consistency, accuracy, and fidelity of the intervention, as well as to maintain ethical standards in informed consent and participant comprehension, only English-speaking individuals will be eligible to participate. * able/willing to consent to participate Exclusion Criteria * \<18 years of age * active psychosis or delirium * current neurological problems (e.g., stroke) at time of enrollment that would interfere with the ability to complete the practice * on a ventilator at time of enrollment * pregnancy * unable or unwilling to consent to participate