Anti-Stress Intervention Among Physicians Study (NCT06368791) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Anti-Stress Intervention Among Physicians Study
Germany145 participantsStarted 2024-04-15
Plain-language summary
Medical practice often comes with high stress. Stress negatively affects our health and well-being and is linked to doctors making mistakes, some of which can be deadly.
In this study, the effect of two quick stress-relief methods on daily stress levels is estimated. The two anti-stress exercises are designed to easily fit into daily routines:
1. Box breathing (6 minutes) is known to reduce stress and lower the heart rate. It is used by the military and law enforcement, among others, to manage stress.
2. Breathing and mindfulness exercise (10 minutes): This guided breathing and mindfulness intervention combines mindful breathing with simple body movements, developed to reduce the perceived level of stress.
The effectiveness of these interventions is being examined in a series of N-of-1 trials. Each participant can choose between the interventions. After being randomly allocated to an individual sequence of one-week intervention and control phases, the study begins. Participants record their stress levels daily over the four-week study period. The intervention is only performed in the intervention phases. Upon completing the study, the stress levels during the intervention phases are compared to those in the control phases. Each participant will receive an individual analysis based on the collected data. In addition, the investigators will estimate the effects at the population level.
Three months after the study, a survey will be sent to the participants to check if the benefits have persisted.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
* Physicians in training in Germany
* Weekly working time in medical activity of at least 9 hours
* Regular access to a mobile phone on which the "StudyU"-App can be installed
* Informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Age \<18 years
* Specialist training already completed
* No clinical activity during the study period or part of the study period (e.g. vacation, research activity, etc.)
* Participation in another intervention study during the study period
* Does not speak German
* Does yoga more than 4 times a month
* Meditates or performs breathing exercises on average more than 4 days per month
* Confirmed or suspected pregnancy
* Presence of a psychiatric disorder
* Presence of cardiovascular disease
* Presence of respiratory or pulmonary disease
* Presence of a neurological disease
* Substance abuse (for example, alcohol, drugs, or other)
* Planned surgery within the next 6 months
* Doctor's recommendation (or self-assessment) not to perform mindfulness or breathing exercises
* Lack of informed consent
* Employee of the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (due to data protection reasons, employees of the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin will not be included in this study)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Daily perceived stress
Timeframe: daily on day 1 to day 28 of the study
2
Daily expectation of perceived stress level on the following day