Monitoring heart rate variability to understand stress and recovery in doctors

Continuous Heart Rate Variability Monitoring in Doctors; Understanding Patterns of Stress and Recovery and Their Relationship With Self-reported Resilience, Burnout and Wellbeing.

Observational University of Aberdeen · NCT06721312

This study is trying to see how monitoring heart rate can help understand stress and recovery in doctors to find out more about burnout in their profession.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Aberdeen Academic / other
Locations1 site (Aberdeen)
Trial IDNCT06721312 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the patterns of stress and recovery among doctors by combining continuous heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring with validated self-report measures of resilience, burnout, and wellbeing. Participants will wear HRV monitors while completing real-time assessments of their stress levels. Additionally, selected participants will engage in semi-structured interviews to delve deeper into their experiences related to stress and recovery. The goal is to better understand how these factors contribute to burnout in the medical profession.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are doctors working within NHS Grampian who have access to a smartphone.

Not a fit: Patients with cardiac arrhythmias, endocrine diseases, or those on specific medications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights that help improve the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals.

How similar studies have performed: While studies on stress and burnout in healthcare professionals exist, the specific combination of HRV monitoring with real-time assessments and qualitative interviews is a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Working within NHS Grampian
* Access to a smartphone

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cardiac arrhythmias/endocrine disease.
* Prescription beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antianxiety medications.
* Insufficient non-working time prior to study commencement.

Where this trial is running

Aberdeen

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions BurnoutBurnout SyndromeOccupational StressStressHeart rate variabilityHRVoccupational stressresilience
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.