A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mental Fitness Intervention for Anesthesiology Resident Wellbeing and Self-Compassion

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Study ID
NCT07639827
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • App-based bundled mental fitness intervention — OTHER
    A structured 6-week, self-guided program delivered via smartphone and web platform. Participants complete one video-based lesson per week and brief daily practice exercises lasting a few minutes each. The curriculum trains three core skills: recognizing recurring self-sabotaging patterns of thought and emotion; interrupting them through short attention-shifting exercises that redirect focus to present-moment sensory experience; and strengthening adaptive responses such as empathy, curiosity, perspective-taking, and decisive action. The approach draws on cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and positive-psychology principles, with daily repetition intended to build durable habits. Lessons build cumulatively across the six weeks. Daily and weekly engagement is encouraged but not required. Participants may optionally invite one loved one to take part alongside them.
  • App-based wellness module collection — OTHER
    A structured 6-week comparison program delivered via smartphone and web platform, matched to the experimental arm in format, duration, and time commitment. Participants complete one lesson per week and brief daily activities of a few minutes each, mirroring the cadence of the active program. Content delivers general health and lifestyle education through didactic material and light reflective prompts. Unlike the experimental program, it does not train the targeted cognitive and emotional self-regulation skills (recognizing self-sabotaging patterns, attention-shifting practice, or deliberate cultivation of adaptive responses). This holds participant time and attention constant across arms so the trial can isolate the effect of the active components. Daily and weekly engagement is encouraged but not required.

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if app-based wellness programs can help improve wellbeing and self-compassion for medical residents. This is a pilot study, which is done on a small group of people to learn if a larger study would be useful. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Are app-based wellness interventions feasible and acceptable in a high-stress population like medical residents? 2. Can app-based wellness programs improve wellbeing and self-compassion in medical residents? Researchers will compare the app-based wellness program to a time- and attention-matched control program. Participants will: * Complete online questionnaires at the start of the study and again after completion of the wellness program * Be assigned by chance (like a coin toss) to one of two different app-based programs, and will participate in the assigned program for 6 weeks. Both programs will involve weekly lessons and brief, daily exercises. Engagement with these exercises will not be mandatory but highly encouraged.

Key Dates

Start date
Aug 31, 2026
Status verified
Jun 2026
Primary completion
Jan 31, 2027
Completion
Jan 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER

Arms

  • Experimental: PQ App
    PQ bundled mental fitness intervention
  • Placebo Comparator: Control App
    Time- and attention-matched control wellness app

Primary Outcome Measure

Recruitment Rate [ Time Frame: Enrollment ]

Central Contacts

Locations (2)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusetts02115
Johanna Lee, MD
[email protected]
201-421-7864
Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusetts02114
Johanna Lee, MD
[email protected]
201-421-7864

Find similar trials in Boston, MA

By condition
Depression
By specialty
PsychiatryMental healthBehavioral health
By research site
Brigham and Women's Hospital· Boston, MAMassachusetts General Hospital· Boston, MA

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