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

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.

Inclusion criteria

HCPs including physicians, trainee physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, Physician Assistants, and respiratory therapists providing patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• A single-item stress scale will be used as a screen for eligibility; a minimum score of 6 on a 10-point response scale will be needed to meet inclusion criteria
• Subjects who have at least a 5% increase from baseline in heart rate after exposure to a personalized stressful script OR at least a 33% increase in skin conductance after exposure to the script
• Willingness to address burnout symptoms by non-pharmacological means
• All subjects must provide Informed Consent prior to enrollment in the study.
• Willingness to wear the provided Apple Watch for the data collection process

Exclusion criteria

• Antipsychotic medications or beta-blockers
• Current suicidal or homicidal ideation (suicidal ideation as screened by C-SSRI survey pre-enrollment)
• Previous instruction in TM