Helping healthcare workers cope with psychological distress from COVID-19
A Brief Phased Two-Step Intervention for Treating General Psychological Distress, PTSD and Co-Morbidities in Healthcare Workers Consequent to the COVID-19 Pandemic
This study is testing two different ways to help healthcare workers cope with stress and trauma from their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Weill Medical College of Cornell University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT04626050 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to address the psychological distress experienced by healthcare workers due to their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will engage in either a narrative writing intervention or a medical music intervention over four sessions within two weeks. Following this initial phase, those who meet the criteria for PTSD will have the opportunity to choose between two evidence-based treatments. The study seeks to identify effective interventions to alleviate symptoms of PTSD and moral injury among healthcare workers.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthcare workers who have provided care for COVID-19 patients and are experiencing psychological distress.
Not a fit: Patients with significant unstable medical illnesses or those currently undergoing other psychiatric treatments may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide effective therapeutic interventions to help healthcare workers manage PTSD and moral injury resulting from their experiences during the pandemic.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in using narrative and music interventions for psychological distress, suggesting potential effectiveness for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Any healthcare worker providing medical care or support for COVID-19 patients * English-speaking * Age \>18 * Medically stable * Able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of all assessment instruments * If on psychotropic medication stable for prior 60 days For phase II additional inclusion criteria: \- Current diagnosis of PTSD Exclusion Criteria: * Current significant unstable medical illness precluding regular session attendance or assessment completion * Participants who in the investigator's judgment pose a current homicidal, suicidal, or other risk * Lifetime or current diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder * Participation in a clinical trial or concurrent evidence-based treatment for psychiatric conditions or PTSD during the previous 3 months.
Where this trial is running
New York, New York
- Weill Cornell Medicine — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: JoAnn Difede, PhD — Weill Medical College of Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Olivia Baryluk, BS
- Email: olb4002@med.cornell.edu
- Phone: 212-821-0783
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.