What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for caregiver burnout, particularly those aimed at reducing work-related stress, include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and exercise therapy. CBT may cause temporary discomfort as individuals confront stressful thoughts and behaviors. MBSR can sometimes lead to increased awareness of stress and anxiety before improvement is noted. Exercise therapy, while generally beneficial, can result in physical strain or injury if not properly supervised. These treatments are generally well-tolerated and focus on long-term stress reduction without significant adverse effects.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved medications for the treatment of caregiver burnout. However, treatments for related conditions such as work-related stress often include the use of antidepressants like SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline) and SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine), which can help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. Non-pharmacologic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and stress management techniques, are also commonly recommended. The trial on uninstalling work email applications aims to reduce work-related stress, highlighting the importance of behavioral interventions in managing stress.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to uninstalling work email applications for reducing caregiver burnout include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques (e.g., yoga, mindfulness), structured physical activity programs, and digital interventions such as mobile apps for stress reduction and online support groups.

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Behavioral Intervention

Reduced Screen Time for Stress in Healthcare Workers (REDUCE-SCREEN Trial)

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Karsten Bartels, MD PhD MBA

Research Sponsored by University of Nebraska

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

2) be ≥ 19 years old

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up at the end of leisure time (through study completion, an average of 1 week)

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests if health care workers feel less stressed when they remove work email apps from their phones during their personal time. The goal is to see if having fewer work interruptions helps them relax more.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for active health care workers over the age of 19 who regularly use a smartphone with a work email app installed. It's designed to see if removing work emails from their phones during off-hours can reduce stress and burnout.

What is being tested?

The study is testing whether uninstalling work-related email apps from smartphones during leisure time can lower stress levels among health care workers, potentially reducing caregiver burden and burnout.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this intervention involves behavior change rather than medication, traditional side effects are not expected. However, participants may experience anxiety or withdrawal symptoms due to reduced connectivity to work.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I am 19 years old or older.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ at the end of leisure time (through study completion, an average of 1 week)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~at the end of leisure time (through study completion, an average of 1 week)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and at the end of leisure time (through study completion, an average of 1 week) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change from baseline modified Perceived Stress Scale-10 after leisure time

Secondary study objectives

Screen time

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Reduce screen timeExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the intervention group are encouraged to set up an automated response to emails received during their weekend off, reduce their screen time for duration of leisure time, and uninstall work applications from their mobile device. Surveys are sent prior to and after leisure time.

Group II: ControlActive Control1 Intervention

This group would complete a survey that measures stress before and after leisure time with no added instructions.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Reduce screen time

2021

N/A

~520

0 / 1Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for Caregiver Burnout include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and exercise. CBT helps by altering negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to stress, while relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation reduce physiological stress responses. Exercise improves overall physical health and releases endorphins, which enhance mood. These treatments are essential for caregivers as they help manage stress, improve mental health, and prevent burnout, thereby enabling them to provide better care.