VR Mindfulness for Mental Wellness

Overseen By Steven Bird, MD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Worcester

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Burnout shares symptoms with anxiety and depression. While there is no single intervention for burnout, there are validated interventions (which are amenable to virtual reality (VR)) for anxiety and depression. UMassMemorial data from the Professional Well-Being Academic Consortium show that MD burnout and distress has increased since 2020. The investigators believe providing clinicians with a unique tool (VR) will be a feasible and efficacious way to tackle distress. It is known that only 1% of our MDs have done mindfulness training but nearly 50% are interested in doing so. Therefore, a self-administrable, interactive mindfulness program delivered over VR has great potential to reach clinicians who want to practice a more active form of mindfulness at a time convenient to them. The results of the study will provide preliminary evidence to determine if a take-home VR mindfulness program decreases clinician stress.

Research Team

Steven Bird, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for clinicians experiencing increased burnout, stress, anxiety, or depression. It's aimed at those interested in mindfulness but haven't practiced it much. Participants should be willing to use a VR tool for mindfulness training.

Inclusion Criteria

Physician or APP employed by the Medical Group

Exclusion Criteria

I am not willing to receive 2 texts per week.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• VR Mindfulness Program (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests if a virtual reality-based mindfulness program can reduce clinician stress and burnout. Clinicians will use a take-home VR system to engage in interactive mindfulness exercises at their convenience.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention - VR Mindfulness Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The intervention group will be given the VR headset for their unrestricted use over the 12 week intervention period. The VR headset is exceptionally easy and intuitive to use. Each participant will have the choice of 20 "locations" in which to use the mindfulness-based program. Each of the 20 locations/programs are different. They range in length from 5 minutes (introductory) to 20 minutes.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

The control arm will not have any intervention. However, at the conclusion of the study, all participants from the Control group will be given the VR intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Lead Sponsor

Trials

372

Recruited

998,000+