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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
60
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.
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.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Recruitment Rate
Percentage of eligible residents who consent to participate
Time frame: Enrollment
Dyadic Enrollment Rate
Percentage of consenting residents who enroll a loved one
Time frame: Enrollment
Retention Rate
Percentage of enrolled participants who complete the post-study assessment
Time frame: At the end of the study, up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Adherence
Percent completion of weekly lessons and daily exercises
Time frame: End of study up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Intervention Acceptability (Acceptability of Intervention Measure, AIM)
Acceptability of the assigned program, measured with the 4-item Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = completely disagree to 5 = completely agree). The mean score ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability. Administered to both arms.
Time frame: At the end of study up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Intervention Appropriateness (Intervention Appropriateness Measure, IAM)
Perceived appropriateness and fit of the assigned program, measured with the 4-item Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = completely disagree to 5 = completely agree). The mean score ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater perceived appropriateness. Administered to both arms.
Time frame: At the end of study up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Intervention Feasibility (Feasibility of Intervention Measure, FIM)
Perceived feasibility of the assigned program, measured with the 4-item Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = completely disagree to 5 = completely agree). The mean score ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater perceived feasibility. Administered to both arms.
Time frame: At the end of study up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Net Promoter Score (NPS)
Single-item likelihood of recommending the assigned program, rated from 0 to 10. Reported as the Net Promoter Score (percentage of promoters \[9-10\] minus percentage of detractors \[0-6\]), which ranges from -100 to +100. Administered to both arms.
Time frame: At the end of study up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Self-compassion
Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF): Score is calculated by computing the mean of the six subscale means. Minimum score 1, maximum score 5. Higher scores indicate high self-compassion.
Time frame: Change from enrollment to end of study up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Burnout
Single-item measures of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, modified from Maslach Burnout Inventory. Minimum score 0, maximum score 84. Higher scores associated with more burnout.
Time frame: Change from enrollment to end of study up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Depressive symptoms
Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). Minimum score 0, maximum score 24. Higher scores associated with more depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Change from enrollment to end of study up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Anxiety symptoms
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7). Minimum score 0, maximum score 21. Higher scores associated with more anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: Change from enrollment to end of study up to 12 weeks after enrollment
Daniel Saddawi-Konefka, MD, MBA
CONTACT
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