Clinical Research Directory

XR2ESILIENCE - XR-Based Resilience Training for Stress and Mental Health in Healthcare Workers

This study investigates the effectiveness of an extended reality (XR) based resilience training program designed to support the mental health and well-being of nurses working in hospital settings. Nurses are exposed to high emotional, cognitive, and organizational demands and show elevated levels of work-related stress and stress-associated mental health problems. Strengthening resilience and coping capacities is therefore an important preventive approach to support nurses' well-being and sustain quality of care. The study is conducted as a pragmatic randomized controlled trial with a waitlist control group and includes approximately 232 nurses from hospitals in several European countries. Participants are randomly assigned either to an XR-based resilience training group or to a waitlist control group that continues with care as usual during the waiting period. The XR-based intervention consists of eight immersive training sessions delivered over approximately ten weeks using a head-mounted display. The training focuses on behavioral, cognitive, and emotional coping strategies and aims to enhance key resilience factors such as problem-solving, cognitive reappraisal, emotion regulation, and positive self-care. The primary outcome is perceived stress, assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale. Secondary outcomes include resilience, occupational self-efficacy, quality of life, psychological distress, burnout symptoms, coping strategies, work-related rumination, and turnover intentions. Assessments are conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 20-week follow-up. In addition, a subgroup of participants will optionally provide physiological data during selected XR sessions to explore digital biomarkers related to stress and recovery. The findings of this study will provide evidence on the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptance of XR-based resilience training for nurses and inform future implementation of digital mental health interventions in healthcare workplaces.

The Effect of Student-Midwife Support Circle Intervention on Burnout, Resilience, and Professional Belonging Levels of Midwifery Students

Midwifery students are exposed to multifaceted stressors such as traumatic and unsupportive clinical experiences and psychosocial burdens; this can negatively impact emotional well-being, leading to secondary traumatic stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and decreased sense of belonging. In this context, there is a growing need for structured and supportive interventions aimed at strengthening students' self-efficacy, resilience, and perceptions of social support. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of the Student Midwife Support Circle Intervention on midwifery students' levels of burnout, resilience, and professional belonging.

The Effects of a Nurse-led Community-based Sailing Programme on Resilience of School-aged Children With Autism: An RCT

The goal of this randomised controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of a nurse-led community-based sailing programme on resilience of school-aged children with autism in inclusive education. Does intervention improve the resilience of participants? Does intervention improve the quality of life, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and social functioning outcomes of participants? Researchers will compare the effect of intervention (community-based sailing programme) to the attention control group (Crafting activities) at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3-month and 9-month follow-ups. Participants will: Participants in the intervention group will participate in a nurse-led community-based sailing programme over six days, with each day consisting of 4 sessions, each lasting an hour, for a total of 24 hours. Participants in the attention control group will engage in crafting activities with minimal difficulty, focusing on maintaining attention without any emotional or reflective discussions.

Cluster RCT of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Support Caregivers of Older Adults in Hong Kong

The goal of this cluster randomized controlled trial study is to compare the effectiveness of a novel psychosocial intervention based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, lifestyle intervention and effective communication skills in caregivers of older adults in Hong Kong. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: What is the impact of the 6-week psychosocial intervention on distress and burden among participants? Participants will participate in a 6-week psychosocial intervention. Researchers will compare the results between the intervention group and the active control group to see if participants in the intervention group have lower distress and burden.

Evaluation of a Group-based, Skills Training for Increasing Mental Toughness

The goal of the Life Force study is to (1) evaluate the efficacy of targeted, skills-based training for enhancing mental toughness and mitigating harmful and high-risk behaviors in active-duty Soldiers, and (2) to determine who benefits the most from this type of training. Researchers will compare the training group to a control group. All participants will complete a baseline survey and two follow up surveys at 6 and 12 months post-baseline. The group assigned to the Life Force training condition will also complete a 5-session, group-based, skills training program.

Operating Room Black Box Supported Debriefings and Their Effect on Healthcare Professionals Effectiveness and Psychological Safety.

This study is enrolled in the European KEEPCARING Project. KEEPCARING aims to (re-)build wellbeing and resilience of healthcare workforce in EU hospitals by co-creating a multi-faceted non-digital, digital, and AI-supported solution package to prevent burnout among (aspirant) healthcare professionals on the individual, team, and organizational level. This study specifically investigate the operating room staff wellbeing and resilience. The healthcare system is currently struggling to retain and attract operating room personnel. A factor of importance to consider here is occupational stress. If not recognized or mitigated well, occupational stress and personal efficacy can eventually evolve into a syndrome labelled as 'burnout'. In addition, communication and resilience patterns between operating room staff members are of influence, poor and/or inadequate communication among staff may be a factor of stress, compromising their work and wellbeing. In contrast, communication patterns that have a high standard and clarity may support resilience. The ability to speak up and being able to advocate concerns of all team members is of the highest importance here. Indeed, psychological safety and effective teamwork patterns are key for the working environment, performance, patient safety, and job satisfaction. To prevent mistakes during surgery, a safe space where team members can freely speak up is vital. To improve psychological safety, and teamwork among OR staff, team debriefing after surgery is known to be effective. What is not known; is whether team debriefing with the additional support derived from audio- and video recordings of the surgery is equally effective as debriefing without. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of structured postoperative debriefings with and without procedural, structured audio- and video recordings, on team performance, psychological safety, and non-technical skills in the operating room. Specifically, this study aims to compare augmented debriefings with non-augmented debriefings, to assess differences in perceived usefulness, psychological safety, and observed improvements in teams' non-technical skills. This is an international quasi-experimental comparative study. The intervention consists of postoperative team debriefing using audio and video recordings ('augmented debriefing') from Operating Room Black Box system provided by Surgical Safety Technologies. The control group will have a postoperative team debriefing that is not augmented with Operating Room Black Box derived data. An identical debriefing template will be designed for both groups.

Aging Resilience Through Microbiota Optimization and Regulation

Sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength in older adults, is a key factor in health deterioration. It affects 15% of people between 65 and 80 years old and over 50% of those over 80, compromising autonomy and increasing the risk of diseases. Sarcopenia not only impacts muscle function but also bone health, mobility, and is associated with cardiometabolic diseases and cognitive decline. It has been proposed that changes in the gut microbiota in aging individuals, known as gut dysbiosis, contribute to sarcopenia. Species diversity decreases, and bacterial representation is altered, which could impair muscle function through various pathways, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and disruption of protein synthesis. Muscle function loss is strongly associated with cognitive and metabolic impairment in older adults. Recently, it has been demonstrated that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective procedure for modulating gut microbiota and has proven highly effective in managing cases of Clostridium difficile-associated chronic diarrhea. The main objective of this project is to carry out FMT from young, physically active donors to a cohort of older adults to evaluate its effect on muscle, cognitive, and metabolic function. Why donors who exercise? There is growing evidence that gut microbiota diversity is increased in young, physically active individuals. The FMT is planned to be administered through lyophilized microbiota capsules. By restoring microbial diversity, it is expected to improve the quality and function of skeletal muscles, leading to greater cognitive and metabolic resilience. This project has great potential to develop an innovative approach for treating highly debilitating diseases that affect older adults, based on the lyophilization and encapsulation of gut microbiota from young, trained donors, which can be easily stored in a conventional freezer. Due to the high percentage of older adults worldwide and the high prevalence of sarcopenia within this age group, the aim of the project is to address a significant public health issue with a large target population eager for options to promote muscle health, functional autonomy, as well as cognitive and metabolic well-being.

MBI in Generation Z Nursing Students During Clinical Practicum

This study is a randomized clinical trial design. The research subjects were the internship nursing students in the nursing department of a nursing school in the northern Taiwan. The experimental group received mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention, while the control group received routine care with weekly line care messages from class instructors. Both groups took the post-test before the internship (T0), during the internship (T1), after the internship (T2), and one month after the internship (T3), a total of 4 times. The contents include psychological well-being scale; anxiety, depression, stress scale and mental scale.

The Effect of Online Solution- Focused Group Counseling On Adjustment, Psychological Well- Being and Resilience

In this study, the effect of online solution- focused group counseling on adjustment, psychological well- being and resilience in individuals will be examined. The research will be carried out as a randomized controlled experimental study with a pre-test, post- test and follow- up design.

Using Integrated Care and Wearable Technology to Evaluate Outcomes of the Shields & Stripes Program for Veterans and First Responders

This study aims to evaluate outcomes from the Shields \& Stripes (S\&S) program - a 12-week, multidisciplinary wellness intervention designed for veterans and first responders. The S\&S program integrates occupational therapy (OT), mental health (MH), physical therapy (PT), and registered dietitian (RD) services to promote recovery, resilience, and performance in individuals who have experienced cumulative stress, trauma exposure, or occupational burnout. This research will use a retrospective mixed-methods observational design to analyze data collected from previous S\&S participants who consent to research use of their de-identified information. No intervention or treatment changes will occur as part of this study. Quantitative data will include biometric information (e.g., sleep, activity, and heart rate variability via Oura Ring), standardized self-report measures (GAD-7, PHQ-9, PCL-5, RAND-36, PSQI, ISI), satisfaction surveys, and laboratory nutrition panels. Qualitative data will include semi-structured interviews with consenting participants and S\&S providers following program completion. The purpose of the study is to identify patterns of improvement in physical, psychological, and occupational functioning and to explore how integrated, team-based care supports holistic recovery. Findings may inform the development of future evidence-based wellness programs for military and first-responder populations. Participation involves minimal risk, and all data will be de-identified before analysis.

Assessing the Effects of Cool Roofs on Mental Health in Ahmedabad, India

Ambient air temperatures in India have broken record highs. Solutions are needed to build heat resilience in communities and adapt to increasing heat from climate change. Sunlight-reflecting cool roof coatings may passively reduce indoor temperatures and energy use to protect home occupants from extreme heat. Occupants living in poor housing conditions are susceptible to increased heat exposure. Heat exposure can instigate and worsen mental health. The worst adverse health effects are experienced in communities that are least able to adapt to heat exposure. By reducing indoor temperatures, cool roof use can promote mental wellbeing in household occupants. The long-term research goal of the investigators is to identify viable passive housing adaptation technologies with proven health benefits to reduce the burden of heat stress in communities affected by heat. To meet this goal, the investigators will conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial to establish the effects of cool roof use on mental health in Ahmedabad, India.

Comparing a Workplace Resilience and a Physical Activity Intervention on Early Childhood Educators Well-being

The goal of this 15-month cluster clinical trial is to compare a resilience and stress management program to a physical activity program for early childhood education (ECE) staff on change in well-being. It will also look to see if changes in well-being continue over time. The study sample will include 80 child care centers. Including 80 ECE center directors and approximately 560 ECE center staff. Some ECE centers will receive only the remotely delivered Resilience program. This program works with ECE staff and helps them recognize and strengthen their resilience assets and resources. Other ECE centers will receive only the remotely delivered Physical Activity program that will focus on staff physical activity habits and strength training. There will be 3 months of active program participation and 12 months of a maintenance period where participants will only have access to program materials.

The Coma Family Program (COMA-F): A Resilience Program for Caregivers of Patients With Severe Acute Brain Injury

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether COMA-F is more efficacious at reducing emotional distress in caregivers of patients with severe acute brain injuries, compared to health education control.

Evaluating The Impact of A Mental Health App on Depression and Resilience Among Medical Students

This randomized controlled trial aims to determine whether access to a mental health app improves resilience and reduces depressive symptoms among medical students over a three-month period. Compared to the control group, researchers hypothesized that medical students in the intervention group are expected to show: * Significant reductions in depressive symptoms and greater improvements in resilience after three months of usage. * Significant reduction in thoughts of self-harm and anxiety, and improvement in self-esteem after three months of usage. Researchers will compare two groups to evaluate the app's impact on wellbeing: * Intervention group: Receives immediate full access to the mental health app. * Control group: Receives basic, without full access to the mental health app. Participants will explore and experience the various features offered in the mental health app over a three-month period.

Jockey Club Support Project

Guided by the process model of emotion regulation, integrative affect-regulation framework for resilience, and the reciprocal dynamics of emotion, affect, and resilience in the family system, researchers will develop a parallel intervention to incorporate two key members in Mainland-Hong Kong cross-boundary families: a parent and a child by improving their affect/emotion regulation skills, de-escalate family conflicts, and flourish under hardships. Specifically, researchers predict that participants in the intervention group will report greater improvement in resilience, emotion regulation, psychological well-being, family harmony, and social connectedness than those in the control group.

Effectiveness of Integrated Network for Student Psychosocial Intervention, Resilience, and Education (INSPIRE) on Mental Health Outcomes Among Indonesian Adolescents in Bandung

The INSPIRE (Integrated Network for Student Psychosocial Intervention, Resilience, and Education) intervention is an 8-week, school-based mental health program designed to enhance adolescents' mental health literacy and resilience while addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Implementation is conducted by school counselors who undergo an intensive two-day training program. The intervention is supported by comprehensive curriculum materials including detailed lesson plans, activities, discussion prompts, and instructional slides featuring key concepts, visuals, and explanatory content. Supplementary materials are developed for both participating adolescents and their parents. The study aims to: 1. Evaluate the usability and feasibility of the INSPIRE intervention within the school environment. 2. Assess the intervention's effectiveness in improving: * Primary outcome: Mental health knowledge among adolescents * Secondary outcomes: Attitudes toward mental health, help-seeking behaviors, mental health literacy, resilience, and symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescents * Secondary outcomes: mental health knowledge, attitudes, help-seeking behaviors, and mental health literacy among parents 3. Explore the experiences of intervention participants (both adolescents and parents) against the control group to develop comprehensive insights into the psychosocial intervention's impact. The research hypothesis proposes that the INSPIRE intervention group will demonstrate significantly higher scores in mental health knowledge, more positive attitudes toward mental health, increased help-seeking behaviors, enhanced mental health literacy, and greater resilience, while simultaneously showing reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to the control group receiving standard care. These outcomes will be measured immediately following the intervention (post-test 1) and at one-month follow-up (post-test 2).

Life Skills Training for Soldiers Arriving at Their First Duty Location

This project will evaluate the effectiveness of Level Up: Boost Your Life Skills ("Level Up"), a strengths based, military-specific life skills training program. The goal is to determine whether Level Up can decrease suicidal-related behaviors (SRBs) and other harmful behaviors, improve mental health, enhance job performance, and reduce early military separation. The Level Up program components will be made available to participants through an online platform or mobile app that can be downloaded onto their personal mobile devices. These training materials will help Soldiers learn and practice skills. The Level Up program will also involve personalized messages from a Level Up trainer and virtual booster sessions. Soldiers arriving at their first duty location will be randomized to receive either Level Up or a single session Army bystander intervention program. Participants will complete baseline and follow up surveys 1, 3, and 6 months post-baseline.

Mind-Body Conditioning Course for University Dance Students

Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) is an eight-week evidenced based program designed specifically to help participants learn practical stress reduction, burnout and resiliency building techniques. Content includes didactic instruction, community-building group discussion, mindfulness practices, and gentle yoga. Weekly themes include Willingness to Daily Practice, Mindful Sleep, Vision of Self, Supported by the Breath, Mindful Eating and Yoga, Movement Through Balance, Awareness of Sensation, Clarity and Release, and Staying Grounded and Moving Forward. An Ohio State University endorsed, ADA compliant companion smartphone app reinforces weekly content and offers a variety of individual mind-body and mediations practices. The evidence-based MIM content has been tailored to meet the physical, mental, and emotional needs of student Dance majors at The Ohio State University and integrated into the Dance 2802 course content as Mind-Body Conditioning for second year students. Over the course of the second year student's fall semester, this study will evaluate the effectiveness of this integrated course content on students' perceived stress, burnout, resilience, musculoskeletal injury and discomfort, and weekly respiratory rates. After the semester long course is completed, the students will also assess how well the Mind-Body Conditioning course content was integrated into the required first year seminar for University Dance majors.

Musical Training to Enhance Resilience of Underprivileged School-aged Children

This is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial aims to examine the effects of a group-based gamified instrumental musical training in enhancing resilience (primary outcome), reducing psychological distress (depressive symptoms and anxiety), enhancing self-esteem, and improving HRQoL (secondary outcomes) among underprivileged school-aged children at risk of mental health problems (depression and anxiety) during a 12-month follow-up.

Culturally Adapted i-CBT for Farsi/Dari Speaking Migrants

The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate the effectiveness of a culturally adapted internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (i-CBT) intervention in reducing symptoms of common mental health issues among Farsi/Dari-speaking youth migrants and refugees. Investigator hypothesizes that there will be a significant decrease in psychological symptoms after participants receive the intervention compared to a control group.

This Study Explores the Mental Health Impact of Two Akashic Records Sessions.

The goal of this clinical study is to learn the impact of two Akashic Records sessions on mental health symptoms in adults. We want to see how sessions are linked to stress, anxiety, and depression, and to resilience (ability to bounce back) and feelings of connectedness (to self, community, and humanity). Main questions this study will answer are: After two sessions, what is the impact on stress, anxiety, and depression? After two sessions, what is the impact on resilience and connectedness? How do participants describe their experience of the sessions? After two sessions, what are participants' views of their problems (insight), emotional experiences (impact) and observable behaviors in their daily life? What participants will do: Complete online surveys about their mood at four points: before the first session, before the second session, after the second session, and again 2 months later. Surveys include: DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale) CD-RISC-10 (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale) WATTS (Connectedness Scale) A short demographic form and satisfaction survey Attend two individual Akashic Records sessions (50-90 minutes each) over private video platform with a licensed clinical social worker (principal investigator) The first 50 participants will also join a one-hour interview with open ended questions with a licensed clinical social worker (co-investigator) about one week after the second session to share their experience in their own words. Who can take part: Adults ages 18 and older who can read and consent in English and who have experienced stress, anxiety, or low mood in the past year. How the research will happen: Sessions are held by secure video call. Participants will also complete private online surveys before, during, and after the sessions. Some participants may be invited to share their experiences in a one-on-one interview. All information is kept private and names are removed before analysis. Risks and benefits: Talking about personal topics may bring up strong emotions. Licensed clinicians conduct sessions, offer support, and provide referrals if needed. Possible benefits include new insights, greater peace or meaning, and improved coping; benefits are not guaranteed. Why this matters: Many people seek spiritual or transpersonal support for emotional concerns. This pilot study will provide early evidence on whether Akashic Records sessions may be a helpful, low-risk option and will guide future research.

Mind-body Resilience Program for Cardiac Arrest Survivors and Their Caregivers: Recovering Together After Cardiac Arrest

The purpose of this study is to pilot two resilience interventions for cardiac arrest survivors and their informal caregivers, Recovering Together after Cardiac Arrest 1 and Recovering Together after Cardiac Arrest 2 . The data the investigators gather in this study will be used to further refine the interventions.

RISE for Nurse Preceptors

The purpose of this study is to determine whether RISE for Nurse Preceptors has a significant impact on nurse preceptors' burnout, resilience, insight, self-compassion, and empowerment, as well as mental well-being, in their personal lives and their working environment.

Healthspan Connect Programme of Research

Healthspan Connect is a new research programme designed to understand what helps people stay healthy as they age. The programme will explore how lifestyle, environment, genetics, and social factors influence healthy ageing and overall wellbeing. The programme will recruit participants aged 12 years and older across the UK. By including adolescents, the programme aims to understand how early life behaviours and experiences shape long-term health. There is no upper age limit, and people from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate. Special pathways ensure that young participants provide consent in an age-appropriate way. Healthspan Connect is a digital and home-based study, meaning participants can take part from home using smartphones, computers, and online surveys. Participants may also be asked to collect samples such as blood, saliva, stool, urine, or other biological specimens at home using easy-to-use kits. In some sub-studies, participants may be invited to attend research visits for additional tests, scans, or clinical assessments. Family members and close contacts may also be invited to participate in some studies. Through Healthspan Connect, researchers aim to: * Identify the biological, environmental, and social factors that help people live longer, healthier lives. * Understand how different groups, including those historically underrepresented in research, experience ageing. * Explore ways to support behaviour changes that improve health over the lifespan. * Provide near real-time information to inform health policies and interventions. Participants may also be asked for permission to link their information with health records, education records, and environmental data to better understand health outcomes over time. This programme will serve as a flexible platform for multiple sub-studies, allowing participants to contribute to a wide range of research questions related to healthy ageing, resilience, and long-term health. All data and biological samples will be stored securely and used to advance scientific knowledge, with participant privacy carefully protected.