Background Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) can generate considerable physical and psychological discomfort under conscious sedation. App-based mindfulness meditation combined with an electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) shows promise as effective and accessible adjuncts in medical practice. Objective This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a BCI-based mindfulness meditation app in improving the experience of patients with AF during RFCA. Methods This single-center pilot randomized controlled trial involved 84 eligible patients with AF scheduled for RFCA, who were randomized 1:1 to the intervention and control groups. Both groups received a standardized RFCA procedure and a conscious sedative regimen. Patients in the control group were administered conventional care, while those in the intervention group received BCI-based app–delivered mindfulness meditation from a research nurse. The primary outcomes were the changes in the numeric rating scale, State Anxiety Inventory, and Brief Fatigue Inventory scores. Secondary outcomes were the differences in hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation), adverse events, patient-reported pain, and the doses of sedative drugs used in ablation. Results BCI-based app–delivered mindfulness meditation, compared to conventional care, resulted in a significantly lower mean numeric rating scale (mean 4.6, SD 1.7 [app-based mindfulness meditation] vs mean 5.7, SD 2.1 [conventional care]; P=.008), State Anxiety Inventory (mean 36.7, SD 5.5 vs mean 42.3, SD 7.2; P<.001), and Brief Fatigue Inventory (mean 3.4, SD 2.3 vs mean 4.7, SD 2.2; P=.01) scores. No significant differences were observed in hemodynamic parameters or the amounts of parecoxib and dexmedetomidine used in RFCA between the 2 groups. The intervention group exhibited a significant decrease in fentanyl use compared to the control group, with a mean dose of 3.96 (SD 1.37) mcg/kg versus 4.85 (SD 1.25) mcg/kg in the control group (P=.003).The incidence of adverse events was lower in the intervention group (5/40) than in the control group (10/40), though this difference was not significant (P=.15). Conclusions BCI-based app–delivered mindfulness meditation effectively relieved physical and psychological discomfort and may reduce the doses of sedative medication used in RFCA for patients with AF. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05306015; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05306015

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients may generate considerable physical and psychological discomfort under conscious sedation. App-based mindfulness meditation together with electroenchephalography (EEG) based brain-computer interface (BCI) shows promise to be effective and accessible adjuncts in medical practice. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a BCI based mindfulness meditation app in improving AF patients’ experience in RFCA. METHODS This was a single-center randomized controlled trial. 84 eligible AF patients scheduled for RFCA were randomized 1:1 to the intervention group and control group. Both groups received a standardized RFCA procedure and conscious sedative regimen. Patients in the control group were given conventional care, while patients in the intervention group received BCI based, app-delivered mindfulness meditation from a research nurse. The primary outcomes were the changes in the numeric rating scale (NRS), State Anxiety Inventory (A-State) and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) scores. Secondary outcomes were the differences in hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, SpO2), adverse events, patients reported pain and the amount of sedative drugs used in ablation. RESULTS BCI based, app-delivered mindfulness meditation appeared significantly lower in the mean NRS (mean 4.6, SD 1.7 vs mean 5.7, SD 2.1; P=.008) , A-State (mean 36.7, SD 5.5 vs mean 42.3, SD 7.2; P<.001) and BFI (mean 3.4, SD 2.3 vs mean 4.7, SD 2.2; P=.011) scores than conventional care. There were no statistical differences in the hemodynamic parameters, the amount of parecoxib and dexmedetomidine used in RFCA between two groups. While, the intervention group had significantly decreased fentanyl used compared with the control group (mean 273.5, SD 86.5 vs mean 330.5, SD 73.1; P=.002). The incidence of adverse events in the intervention group (5/40) was lower than that in the control group (10/40) with no statistical significant(P=.15). CONCLUSIONS The BCI based, app-delivered mindfulness meditation could effectively relieve physical and psychological discomfort, and may reduce the amount of sedative medication used in RFCA of AF. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05306015; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05306015