Targeting the Health Care Provider (HCP) Burnout Crisis During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview

This single blind, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) evaluates, a nonpharmacological intervention, TM (Transcendental Meditation) for improving burnout (, as measured by self-reporting (survey), physiologic, and neuro-functional imaging studies in health care providers (HCPs) when practiced over 3 months' time. The investigators define HCPs as any physician, physician trainee, nurse, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or respiratory therapist. HCPs will be screened by a single-item stress scale and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS) to understand their stress level and exclusion criteria respectively. The Global Severity Index of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)-18 Global Severity score will be used as the primary outcome for pre- and post-TM training (baseline, 1 vs. 3 months). In addition, the investigators will evaluate physiological markers of stress and cardiovascular resiliency such as 1) changes (pre/post-treatment) in heart rate variability (HRV) through wearables, 2) Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) - changes in sweat gland activity that result from changes in an emotional state. fMRI will be performed by the Duke Brain Imaging and Analysis Center (BIAC) on a subset of participants to evaluate changes A specifically developed mobile app will aid data collection as well as reminders for providers to aid compliance for meditation

OVERALL HYPOTHESIS: HCPs who learn and practice TM will demonstrate significantly improved symptoms of burnout within 3 months, as measured by self-report (survey), physiologic, and neuro-functional imaging studies. SPECIFIC AIM 1: To conduct a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) of TM (N=40) vs. Control (CTL, N=40) in frontline HCPs. HCPs will be screened by a single-item stress scale and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS). The Global Severity Index of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)-18 Global Severity score will be used as the primary outcome for pre- and post-TM training (baseline, 1 vs. 3 months). SPECIFIC AIM 2: Evaluate changes (pre/post-treatment) in heart rate variability (HRV), a physiological measure of stress, and overall cardiovascular resilience) in response to TM practice versus CTL. Participants will be asked to wear an Apple Watch throughout trial participation to assess changes in resting HRV during meditative practice. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) refers to the changes in sweat gland activity that result from changes in an emotional state. A portable GSR device (e-Sense Skin Response) will be used to evaluate GSR score (baseline and 3 months). fMRI (N=20 for each group) will be performed by the Duke Brain Imaging and Analysis Center (BIAC). fMRI Protocol: The first 20 eligible (exclusion criteria: pregnancy, claustrophobia, reluctance to participate) patients from each group will be randomly assigned to get fMRI at baseline and at the end of the study.